Imported Fire Ant Program 

Manual
Some processes, equipment, and materials described in this manual may be patented. Inclusion in this 

manual does not constitute permission for use from the patent owner. The use of any patented invention in 

the performance of the processes described in this manual is solely the responsibility of the user. APHIS 

does not indemnify the user against liability for patent infringement and will not be liable to the user or to any 

third party for patent infringement.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the 

basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, 

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part of any individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases 

apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 

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Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or 

(202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

When using pesticides, read and follow all label instructions.

Second Edition
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual TOC-1

Imported Fire 

Ant Program 

Contents

Figures LOF-1

Tables LOT-1

Introduction 1-1

Survey Procedures 2-1

Regulatory Procedures 3-1

Appendix A A-1

Appendix B B-1

Appendix C C-1

Appendix D D-1

Index Index-1
Contents

 

TOC-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual LOF-1

Imported Fire 

Ant Program 

Figures

Figure 1-1 IFA Queen with Workers Attending Her and Her 

Brood 1-6

Figure 1-2 Left to right: Alates Preparing to Fly; Newly Mated Queen, 

Minims and Brood (ca 40 days old); Incipient Mound (ca 3-5 

months old); Mature Mound (1-3 years old 1-6

Figure 1-3 Left: Reproductive Alate (winged) Female; right: 

Reproductive Alate Male 1-7

Figure 1-4 Different Sizes of Worker Ants with a Reproductive Queen 

on Right 1-7

Figure 1-5 From left to right: egg, larval instars, pupa (next to last); 

adult worker 1-8

Figure 2-1 IFA Mound at the Base of a Tree in an Urban Landscaped 

Area 2-2

Figure 2-2 IFA Mounds in a Pasture 2-2

Figure 2-3 Very Small IFA Mound (left); Flat IFA Mound (right) 2-4

Figure 2-4 IFA Mounds in Urban Hardscaped Areas 2-5

Figure 2-5 USDA Cookie Bait in a Modified Gelman® Dish; Modified

Gelman® Dish with Lid; Various Traps/Containers for Bait 

Surveys 2-7

Figure 3-1 Inspectors Looking for IFA on a Nursery Truck 3-15

Figure B-2 PPQ Form 244: USDA-APHIS Warning Quarantine 

(Tag) B-2

Figure B-1 PPQ Form 391: Specimens for Determination B-3

Figure B-2 PPQ Form 391: Specimens for Determination 

Instructions B-4

Figure B-3 PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation B-5

Figure B-4 PPQ Form 519: Compliance Agreement B-9

Figure B-5 PPQ Form 523: Emergency Action Notification B-13

Figure B-6 PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit B-17

Figure B-7 PPQ Form 540: Certificate B-20

Figure B-8 State Plant Regulatory Official IFA Cooperative Agreement 

Reporting Table B-24

Figure C-1 Compliance Agreement for Containerized Nursery 

Stock C-2

Figure C-2 Containerized Ornamental Nursery Stock – Treatment 

Options C-3
Figures

 

LOF-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Figure C-3 Compliance Agreement for Field Grown Balled and 

Burlapped Nursery Stock C-4

Figure C-4 Compliance Agreement for Turfgrass and Sod C-5

Figure C-5 Commercial Turfgrass and Sod – Treatment Options C-6

Figure C-6 Compliance Agreement for Greenhouse Grown Nursery 

Stock C-7

Figure C-7 Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock – Treatment 

Options C-8

Figure C-8 Compliance Agreement for Soil: Bulk or Samples C-9

Figure C-9 Soil: Bulk or Samples – Treatment Options C-10

Figure C-10 Compliance Agreement for Baled Hay and Straw C-11

Figure C-11 Baled Hay and Straw – Treatment Options C-12

Figure C-12 Compliance Agreement for Nursery Stock Dealer/

Broker C-13

Figure C-13 Example of an IFA Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement

from LA C-14

Figure C-14 Example of an IFA Nursery Stock (Drench Treatment) 

Compliance Agreement from TN C-15

Figure C-15 Example of an IFA Nursery Stock/Bare Root Compliance

Agreement from NC C-16

Figure C-16 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance

Agreement from NM C-17

Figure C-17 Example of an IFA Bamboo Dip Compliance Agreement 

from TN C-18

Figure C-18 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance

Agreement from TX C-19

Figure C-19 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance

Agreement from TX (page 2) C-20

Figure C-20 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance

Agreement from TX (page 3) C-21

Figure C-21 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance

Agreement from TX (page 4) C-22

Figure C-22 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance

Agreement from TX (page 5) C-23

Figure C-23 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance

Agreement from TX (page 6) C-24

Figure D-1 Laboratory Produced Bait Attractant Cookie D-2
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual LOT-1

Imported Fire 

Ant Program 

Tables

Table 1-1 Reporting Issues With or Suggestions for the Imported Fire Ant 

Program Manual 1-12

Table 3-1 Determining Certification Options for Moving IFA Items 3-7

Table 3-2 Determining Movement Status of Articles at Inspection 

Locations 3-12

Table 3-3 Determining Movement Status of IFA Nonregulated 

Articles 3-13

Table 3-4 Determining Movement Status of IFA Regulated Articles 3-14

Table D-1 Ingredients for USDA IFA Survey Bait Attractant Cookies D-1
Tables

LOT-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 1-1

Chapter

1

Introduction

Contents

Purpose 1-2

Audience 1-2

Scope 1-2

Authority 1-4

Related Documents 1-5

Distribution 1-5

Life Cycle 1-5

Description 1-7

Reproductives 1-7

Workers 1-7

Brood 1-8

Eggs 1-8

Larvae 1-8

Pupae 1-8

Conventions 1-8

Advisories 1-8

Boldface 1-9

Bullets 1-9

Change Bars 1-9

Chapters 1-9

Contents 1-9

Control Data 1-10

Examples 1-10

Footnotes 1-10

Heading Levels 1-10

Hyperlinks to Tables, Figures, and Headings 1-11

Indentions 1-11

Italics 1-11

Numbered Lists 1-11

Numbering Scheme 1-11

Transmittal Number 1-11

Using the Manual 1-12

Reporting Issues With or Suggestions for the Imported Fire Ant Program 

Manual 1-12

Manual Updates 1-12
Introduction

Purpose 

1-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Purpose

Imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren, S. richteri Forel, and their hybrid) 

have become established across the southeastern states and in parts of 

California and other western States. Imported fire ants (IFA) pose serious 

threats to people, small animals, crops, and agricultural equipment, and can be 

moved to new, non-infested areas by hitchhiking on interstate commodities. To 

prevent artificial movement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates the movement 

of articles that present a risk of spreading the IFA to areas not currently 

infested. The Federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine was established May 6, 

1958 in an effort to slow or prevent the artificial spread of IFA. Today there are 

14 states and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico that are all or partially in the 

Federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine regulation.

An interactive map that allows address input and shows date of an area’s 

inclusion in the quarantine is available.

This manual will prepare you to accomplish the following tasks:

 Perform accurate surveys for IFA

 Add new areas to the quarantine

 Determine the movement (entry) status of regulated and non-regulated 

articles

 Facilitate the movement of nursery stock and other regulated articles 

from regulated to non-regulated areas

 Take regulatory action when IFA is detected on articles outside the 

quarantine

Audience

This manual is for use by State and Federal regulatory officers.

Scope

The manual is divided into the following chapters and appendices.

Chapters

 Introduction

 Survey Procedures

 Regulatory Procedures
 Introduction

 Scope

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 1-3

Appendices

Appendix A: Contacts for PPQ and State Plant Officials

Appendix B: PPQ Forms and Directions

Appendix C: Examples of IFA Compliance Agreements

Appendix D: Recipe for USDA IFA Bait Attractant Cookies

The Introduction section contains general information on the APHIS IFA 

program. It identifies the purpose, audience, and scope of the manual. It lists 

the authority for taking regulatory action and gives an overview of the IFA 

program, and the distribution, life history and description of IFA.

The Survey section describes procedures for detection and delimiting surveys. 

In general only detection surveys, using visual techniques, are used for 

including an area in the IFA quarantine. Delimiting survey techniques, using 

intensive bait attractant surveys to determine location of colonies, are 

presented as guidelines for those involved in detection or eradication of small 

isolated infestations. This section also discusses when to add an area to the 

quarantine.

The Regulatory section contains directions for regulating the movement of 

IFA:

 Inside the quarantine

 Identifying, treating and certifying regulated articles

 Issuing compliance agreements, including inspecting nurseries under 

compliance and how to get a “stamp”

 Leaving the quarantine

 Determining the movement status of articles at inspection locations

 Inspecting commodities for IFA at inspection stations and at 

destination

 Handling IFA interceptions or violations at transit inspection 

locations and at destination

 Handling IFA infestations outside the quarantine in the environment

 Policing the quarantine

 Blitzes, investigations, identification, regulatory incidents, 

incursions
Introduction

Authority 

1-4 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Also included in the Regulatory section is information on issuing the following 

forms:

 Certificates (PPQ Form 540)

 Limited Permits (PPQ Form 530)

 Emergency Action Notification (PPQ Form 523)

 Reports of Violation (PPQ Form 518)

 Specimen Determination Form (PPQ Form 391)

The Appendices include the following information:

 Federal and State contacts for the IFA program

 Examples of forms

 Model compliance agreements

 Permits and other forms

 Guidelines for conducting IFA inspections at nurseries

 List of acceptable residue levels for program chemicals

 USDA bait cookie recipe

 SPRO reporting form

Authority

Enabling legislation provides the authority to carry out the mission of 

protecting American agriculture from plant pests. Legislative Acts are the 

fundamental authority granted by Congress to the Secretary of Agriculture to 

promulgate regulations to protect American agriculture. The regulatory 

authority for taking actions listed in this manual is contained in the following:

 Plant Protection Act of 2000 

 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 

 Federal Orders

 Federal Notices
 Introduction

 Related Documents

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 1-5

Related Documents

 7 CFR 301.81

 USDA, APHIS, PPQ Treatment Manual, Schedules for Domestic 

Products

 “Imported Fire Ant: Quarantine Treatments for Nursery Stock, Grass 

Sod, and Related Materials” (APHIS 81-25-001 updated Jan 2015)

 “Beekeepers 2006: Don’t Transport Imported Fire Ants” (Program Aid 

No. 1859)

 Questions and Answers: Moving Baled Hay from Areas under 

Quarantine for Imported Fire Ant

Distribution

Originally from the Paraguay River floodplain in South America, both species 

of IFA were accidentally introduced to the United States by the 1930’s through 

the port of Mobile, Alabama. As of 2017, the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis 

invicta infests portions or all of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, 

Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, 

South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Puerto Rico. In the United 

States, the black imported fire ant, S. richteri is only reported from 

northeastern Mississippi, northwestern Alabama, and western Tennessee. The 

S. invicta x richteri hybrid has typically been found from the middle of both 

Mississippi and Alabama northward, in eastern Tennessee, and the 

northwestern corner of Georgia.

Unreported infestations and infestations undergoing eradication may be 

encountered outside these quarantined areas. Refer to the online Imported Fire 

Ant Quarantine Map for the most current information.

Life Cycle

The IFA life cycle begins when mating flights of reproductive males and 

females occur in a short period of time during specific weather conditions. 

Mating flights frequently occur in spring and fall after a rain event, but will 

often take place whenever the temperature is between 24 and 33°C (75 and 

91°F), humidity is 80% or higher, and the wind is low. The newly mated queen 

lands, loses her wings, excavates a simple nest consisting of a single one to 

four inch deep tunnel and seals herself in. Her first batch of 10 to 25 eggs is 

produced within 28 hours of mating. Without any workers to assist, the queen 

rears her first batch alone and feeds the larvae from regurgitated liquids.
Introduction

Life Cycle 

1-6 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

The first adult workers (minims) emerge about a month after the queen starts 

her nest. With workers to gather food, protect the nest, tend the brood, and 

further the nest construction, the queen devotes her time to egg production 

(75-200/day). At three months, the small nest should have many chambers, and 

the colony is composed primarily of minor workers and a few of the first major 

workers. Some reproductive ants (alates) start to appear in the colony by seven 

months. Also by this time, the mound should be well developed containing 

between 6,500 to 14,000 workers, with 3% majors. The mound will continue to 

grow as the colony increases in size with maturity usually reached in two or 

three years with 100,000 or more workers. IFA do not hibernate, but do 

decrease activity in cold weather causing brood production to slow or stop 

depending on environmental severity. Cooler regions thus may have longer 

colony development times.

Figure 1-1 IFA Queen with Workers Attending Her and Her Brood

Figure 1-2 Left to right: Alates Preparing to Fly; Newly Mated Queen, Minims 

and Brood (ca 40 days old); Incipient Mound (ca 3-5 months old); 

Mature Mound (1-3 years old
 Introduction

 Description

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 1-7

Description

The following is a description of IFA castes and life stages:

Reproductives

Queens are about 9 mm long with S. invicta colored light reddish brown, S. 

richteri dark brown to black with an orange yellow spot dorsally on the gaster, 

and hybrid queens either looking like one of the parent species or a blend of the 

two. Males are dark colored and have a much smaller head than queens. Both 

sexes have wings before mating; queens drop their wings prior to nest building.

Workers

Workers range from 1.6 mm (minims) to 6 mm (majors), are wingless, possess 

stingers, and have shorter rounder abdomens compared to the elongate 

abdomens of the reproductives. Worker coloration is similar to queen 

coloration, and the larger S. richteri workers may also have a pale orange 

yellow spot on the gaster. Worker ants are the most commonly observed life 

stage.

Figure 1-3 Left: Reproductive Alate (winged) Female; right: Reproductive Alate 

Male

Figure 1-4 Different Sizes of Worker Ants with a Reproductive Queen on Right
Introduction

Conventions 

1-8 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Brood

Eggs, larvae, and pupae, collectively called brood, are frequently found 

warming close to the surface of the mound in the morning. These immature 

stages cannot move unassisted and are thus reliant on adults to feed and tend to 

them.

Eggs

Eggs are white in color and at 0.22 mm each look somewhat like finely ground 

meal.

Larvae

Larvae are dirty white in color, legless, and kidney-shaped with recurved hairs 

like tiny Velcro®. As they grow, body segments and mouth parts appear. The 

larval stage of major workers and reproductives takes one or more weeks 

longer to mature than that of minor workers.

Pupae

Pupae are pale, shiny white in color and about the same size as they will be as 

adults. At this stage, the adult features of the ant are very distinct.

Conventions

Conventions are established by custom and are widely recognized and 

accepted. Major conventions used in the manual follow.

Advisories

Advisories are used throughout the manual to bring important information to 

the user’s attention. Please carefully review each advisory. The definitions 

coincide with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) with the goal 

of making the warnings easy to recognize and understand, thus limiting the 

human and dollar cost of foreseeable errors and accidents, and are in the format 

shown below.

Figure 1-5 From left to right: egg, larval instars, pupa (next to last); adult 

worker
 Introduction

 Conventions

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 1-9

Boldface

Boldface type is used to emphasize important words throughout the manual. 

These words include but are not limited to: cannot, do not, does not, except, 

lacks, must, neither, never, nor, not, only, other than.

Bullets

Bulleted lists indicate that there is no order of priority to the information being 

listed. Bulleted lists should always be in alphabetical order.

Change Bars

A black change bar (see left margin) is used to indicate a change appearing on 

a revised page. Unfortunately, change bars do not always appear when text is 

merely deleted. Delete change bars from the previous update when you revise 

the chapter or appendix.

Chapters

This manual contains the following chapters: Introduction, Survey Procedures, 

and Regulatory Procedures.

Contents

Every chapter has a table of contents (mini TOC) listing only the first- and 

second-level headings within the chapter.

! DANGER

DANGER indicates imminent risk of death or serious injury.

! WARNING

WARNING indicates possible risk of serious injury.

! CAUTION

CAUTION indicates minor to moderate risk of injury.

NOTICE

NOTICE alerts readers of important information or Agency policy.

SAFETY

SAFETY indicates general instructions or reminders related to safety.
Introduction

Conventions 

1-10 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Control Data

Control data are located at the top and bottom of each page to help manual 

users keep track of where they are in the manual and to be aware of updates to 

specific chapters, appendixes, etc. At the top of each page is the chapter title 

and first-level heading for that page. At the bottom of each page is the 

transmittal number (month/year/issue or edition number), manual title, and 

page number.

Examples

Examples are used to clarify a point by applying to a real-world situation. 

Examples always appear in a box as a means of visually separating them from 

the other information contained on the page.

Footnotes

Footnotes comment on or cite a reference to text and are referenced by number. 

The footnotes used in the manual include general text footnotes, figure 

footnotes, and table footnotes.

General text footnotes are located at the bottom of the page after a thin green 

line half the width of the page and flow numerically throughout a chapter.

When space allows, figure and table footnotes are located directly below the 

associated figure or table. However, multi-page figures and tables or tables or 

figures covering the entire length of a page cannot accommodate footnote 

numbers and footnote text on the same page. If a table or figure continues 

beyond one page, the associated footnotes will appear on the page following 

the end of the figure or table. Each table’s footnotes are individually numbered, 

e.g., a chapter may have three tables and within each table is a single footnote, 

then each footnote will be indicated with the number 1.

Heading Levels

Within each chapter there are four heading levels. The first-level heading is 

indicated by a horizontal line across both the left and right columns with the 

heading language across the left and right columns directly underneath. The 

body text after a first-level heading is located inside the margined text area, 

one line after the heading language. The second- and third-level headings are 

inside the margined text area with the body text following underneath. The 

fourth-level heading is inside the margined text area followed by a period and 

leading into the text.

EXAMPLE Examples are graphically placed boxes within the text as a means of 

visually separating information from other information contained on 

the page. Examples always appear in a box like this.
 Introduction

 Conventions

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 1-11

Hyperlinks to Tables, Figures, and Headings

Figures, headings, and tables are cross-referenced in the body of the manual 

and are in hypertext (blue) font.

Indentions

The manual indents content information, lengthy quotes, and entry 

requirements summarized from CFRs, import permits, or policies.

Italics

Publication names and scientific names are italicized throughout the manual.

Numbered Lists

Numbered lists are used to indicate the specific order in which the information 

listed is to be followed.

Numbering Scheme

A two-level numbering scheme is used to indicate pages, tables, and figures. 

The first number represents the chapter. The second number represents the 

page, table, or figure. This numbering scheme allows for easier updating and 

adding pages without having to reprint an entire chapter. Dashes are used in 

page numbering to differentiate page numbers from decimal points.

Transmittal Number

The transmittal number contains the month, year, and a consecutively issued 

number (beginning with -01 for the first edition and increasing consecutively 

for each update to the edition). The transmittal number is changed only when 

the specific front matter, chapter, or back matter is updated. If no changes are 

made to a specific chapter, the transmittal number for that chapter remains 

unchanged. The transmittal number changes for the entire manual only when a 

new edition is issued or changes are made to the entire manual.

EXAMPLE See Table 1-1 on page 1-12 to determine how to report problems 

with the Imported Fire Ant Program Manual.

EXAMPLE 06/2018-01 is the transmittal number for this update and is located in 

the control data in the footer area of the pages in this volume.

06 is the month the manual/update was issued.

2018 is the year the manual/update was issued.

01 is the chapter’s edition number.
Introduction

Using the Manual 

1-12 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Using the Manual

Review the TOC of the manual to get a feel for the scope of covered material. 

Use the TOC in each chapter (mini TOC) to find the needed information. If the 

TOC or mini TOC are not specific enough, turn to the index to find the topic 

and corresponding page number.

Reporting Issues With or Suggestions for the Imported Fire 

Ant Program Manual

Use Table 1-1 to report problems, disagreements, or improvements that 

directly affect the contents of the manual.

Manual Updates

The online Imported Fire Ant Program Manual attempts to capture the most 

up-to-date information. The manual is electronically issued on the APHIS Web 

site.

Table 1-1 Reporting Issues With or Suggestions for the Imported Fire Ant 

Program Manual

If you: Then:

 Are unable to access the online manual

 Have a suggestion for improving the format 

(layout, spelling, etc.)

CONTACT PPQ Manuals Unit at 

240-529-0350 or by email

bruce.n.attavian@aphis.usda.gov

 Disagree with a policy or procedure

 Have an urgent situation requiring an 

immediate response

CONTACT

ronald.d.weeks@aphis.usda.gov
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 2-1

Chapter

2 Survey Procedures

Contents

Area Detection Survey 2-1

General Survey Pattern 2-3

General Survey Technique 2-3

Rural Areas 2-4

Urban and Suburban Areas 2-5

Delimiting Survey 2-6

Supplies 2-6

Procedure 2-7

Identification 2-8

Reporting of Survey Finding 2-9

When to Quarantine an Area or County 2-10

Guidelines for Deregulation 2-11

Area Detection Survey

The purpose of the detection survey is to find new naturally occurring 

infestations beyond the regulated or generally infested area. The regulated area 

may be expanded to include those areas where imported fire ant (IFA) has 

moved through natural spread. There is limited information on natural spread 

of IFA. Early field studies indicated that most newly mated queens landed less 

than one mile from their origin, but in extreme cases they could fly or be 

carried by wind currents for 7-10 miles (Markin et al. 1971). Vogt et al. (2000) 

studied flight capability in the laboratory through flight speed, energy 

consumption, etc. and determined that without wind, newly mated queen 

flights were limited to less than 3 miles. Taking into account natural and 

human-assisted spread, Hung and Vinson (1978) estimated that in Texas 

between 1953 and 1978, IFA moved approximately 30 miles per year. Keep in 

mind, that as IFA reach the limits of their range, natural spread slows due to 

limiting environmental factors.
Survey Procedures

Area Detection Survey 

2-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

The most common method of detection is by visual survey. This involves 

scanning rights of ways for fire ant mounds while driving and then making 

planned stops to get out and look more closely for IFA mounds. Prime areas to 

survey include open areas such as pastures, parks, pipelines, and power line 

rights of way. Also, look at sites of new soil excavation and work sites such as 

malls, new roads, apartment complexes, etc. Other means of locating new 

infestations include contacting highway maintenance district offices, county 

extension agents, consulting entomologists, pest control operators, landscape/

yard services, utility repair services, livestock industry groups, etc. In areas of 

greater concern, such as nurseries, warehouses, docks, or railroad yards, 

detection surveys should be more intensive visual surveys, possibly 

supplemented with trapping using baits and attractants.

Surveys will be conducted by state cooperators as outlined in cooperative 

agreements with PPQ. Decide the intensity and frequency of your survey by 

determining the distance of the survey point from known areas of infestation 

and the volume of commerce between the point of inspection and the infested 

area as well as the amount of time since the last survey. Surveys are best 

conducted during mid- to late-spring and/or early- to mid-fall, depending on 

the geographic location. Choose days (or times of the day) with air 

temperatures above 65°F and below 90°F. Recent rainfall usually makes the 

mounds more visible.

Figure 2-1 IFA Mound at the Base of a Tree in an Urban Landscaped Area

Figure 2-2 IFA Mounds in a Pasture
 Survey Procedures

 Area Detection Survey

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 2-3

General Survey Pattern

With modern tools, we can make survey blocks easier than in the past. 

However, picking a point on a map with GPS tools will not take away from the 

need to be selective in survey sites—it’s useless to survey a paved parking lot 

or a forest.

Survey the leading edge of quarantine every 2-3 years as resources allow.

General Guidelines

Do not survey when there has been no rain for several weeks

Do survey when rain has fallen within previous few days

Do survey when temperatures are between 65-90 °F

On cooler days, sunny is best

On warmer days, cloudy is best

Do talk to county extension agents—they may know where new IFA 

populations are located

2–3 Years Since Last Survey

1. Use grid of 5x5 miles.

2. Survey about 25 miles beyond last known IFA infestation.

3. If IFA are found at 25 mile mark, continue another 5 miles until no IFA are 

found.

4+ Years Since Last Survey

1. Use grid of 10x10 miles.

2. Survey about 50 miles beyond last known IFA infestation.

3. If IFA are found at 50 mile mark, continue another 10 miles until no IFA 

are found.

General Survey Technique

While driving to grid locations, carefully and safely scan both road shoulders 

for mounds. If weather has been very hot or dry prior to survey, or if grass is 

tall, mounds may not be visible from a vehicle. Make stops at predetermined 

intervals per the grid set up and walk one quarter-mile along each side of the 

road to visually survey for mounds. Select pastures, orchards, open lands, or 

other suitable habitat for these stops (along stream banks and ponds or 

wherever water has been standing). Also, survey any locations within the 

sector considered highly suspect because of receipt of regulated articles (see 

areas listed in rural and urban/suburban area sections).
Survey Procedures

Area Detection Survey 

2-4 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

1. Walk through the area looking for mounds, small piles of dirt, or soil 

disturbance in a trail pattern.

2. Poke the soil with a shovel or stick.

IFA will “boil” out by the hundreds when disturbed

If the mounds are very small, only 5-50 ants will come out (below left)

If the weather is cold (<50 °F) or hot and dry (>90 °F and no rain for 

weeks), ants will be very deep in the soil and you may have to dig 

6-12" down to find ants; in addition the mounds may be flat and look 

“dead” (below right)

Mark the roads on your survey map that you have surveyed and note locations 

where any IFA mounds are detected. Also note how many active mounds are 

within each location. This can be done in table format, marking on a survey 

map, or with a GPS unit.

Rural Areas

In addition to pre-determined survey stops as noted in the general techniques, 

make survey stops along the way at any location that has received regulated 

articles or is likely to receive such articles. Examples of regulated articles in 

rural areas include the following items:

Hay

Nursery stock

Sod

Soil moving equipment

These locations often receive regulated articles:

Commercial cattle feeding operations

Golf courses

Figure 2-3 Very Small IFA Mound (left); Flat IFA Mound (right)
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 2-5

Horse farms

Nurseries and retail stores

Sites under construction

Truck and railroad shipping yards

At these sites, walk about one half-mile along on both sides of the road or 

through the location if the owner has granted permission. Mark the roads on 

your survey map that you have surveyed and note locations where any IFA 

mounds are detected. Also, note how many active mounds are within each 

location. This can be done in table format, marking on a survey map, or with a 

GPS unit.

Urban and Suburban Areas

Plan to survey the following areas:

City/county parks and public recreation areas

Locations receiving or likely to receive regulated articles, such as new 

malls/shopping centers, apartment complexes, landscaped office 

buildings, etc. Pay close attention to areas next to curbs and buildings, 

around water sources, south side of slopes/hills, etc.

Natural gas and high voltage power line rights of way

Open areas along streams

Railroad rights of way

Streets that transect urban and suburban areas

At these sites, walk about one half-mile along on both sides of the road or 

through the location if the owner has granted permission. Mark the roads on 

your survey map that you have surveyed and note locations where any IFA 

mounds are detected. Also, note how many active mounds are within each 

location. This can be done in table format, marking on a survey map, or with a 

GPS unit.

Figure 2-4 IFA Mounds in Urban Hardscaped Areas
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Delimiting Survey

Delimiting surveys using bait/attractant traps can be used in small area control 

programs and state eradication programs where IFA have moved through 

man-assisted or artificial spread. While the Federal IFA Quarantine Program 

does not provide for control or eradication programs, suggestions for 

delimiting survey are provided here for information.

Supplies

You will need these materials for the delimiting survey:

Map of block or site to be surveyed (digital, actual, or hand drawn with 

landmarks) - mark and number trap locations on grid pattern as specified 

below

50 mm polystyrene plastic dishes with tight fitting lids (such as Gelman® 

dishes) to secure ants without use of an additional enclosure. Mark tops 

and bottoms of dishes with trap location number.

Attractant bait - The following baits are examples of IFA attractants 

(others can be used as well):

Olive oil

Peanut oil

Corn oil

Soak an index card, filter paper, cotton cosmetic pad (discount

store), cotton ball, or something similar cut to fit the dish with 

enough oil to saturate the substrate, but not run off. You can do this 

before going to the site, but do not allow the material to sit in a hot 

car for any extended period of time.

USDA IFA bait attractant cookie (recipe in Appendix D)

Corn chips

Canned/potted meat

Pecan cookie pieces

Cut or break solid attractants to fit in dish. Use about 1 g. of 

chosen material (about the diameter of a penny/dime).

Flags - use to mark trap locations or corners of blocks as necessary

Gloves
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 2-7

Procedure

The trapping grid or transect can be larger or smaller depending on your need 

and estimated age of the ant population being surveyed. Very small, new 

colonies (those usually too small to detect visually) will only forage within a 

few feet of their nest, while older, larger colonies (more than a year old) can 

forage more than 39 feet from their nest and cover a territory of 537 to 968 

square feet (50-90 square meters).

Plan to place bait traps in a grid pattern over your survey area; prepare the grid 

map based on the information above.

Large Areas > 10 acres (with some visible mounds): Place a trap every 

200 ft (about 4 traps per acre).

Small Areas < 10 acres (with no to few visible mounds): Place a trap 

every 50 ft (about 25 traps per acre).

Irregular areas or specialty areas such as landscaped commercial areas 

may require use of a transect or other irregular bait placement, rather than 

a grid. Again, depending on the size of the area to be trapped, use a bait 

spacing of 50-200 ft. You may need to target newly landscaped areas and 

place baits within those areas.

If you need any suggestions on how to trap a unique area, please contact 

your PPQ State Plant Health Director for assistance.

Place traps with numbers corresponding to your prepared map. Leave the traps 

in place for approximately 1 hour.

Place traps when air temperatures are above 65 °F and below 90 °F. 

Collect the traps by simply putting top on dish and closing firmly.

Collect all traps and flags from an area when completed (leave corner block 

flags if necessary).

Figure 2-5 USDA Cookie Bait in a Modified Gelman® Dish; Modified Gelman® 

Dish with Lid; Various Traps/Containers for Bait Surveys
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Delimiting Survey 

2-8 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Back at the office/lab, freeze ants or place each sample in alcohol (labeled 

properly) until identification can be made. However, if you plan to use the 

InvictDetectTM discussed below in Identification section, do not place ants in 

alcohol; they can be frozen for this test, but not stored in alcohol.

If ant samples are collected in response to a potential violation, please see 

Chapter 3 on additional procedures.

Identification

There are several keys available for use to identify Solenopsis species:

1. Hung, A.C.F., M.R. Barlin and S.B. Vinson. 1977. Identification, 

distribution, and biology of fire ants in Texas. Texas Agric. Exp. Stat. 

B-1185, October 1977. 24 pp.

2. Trager, J.C. 1991. A revision of the fire ants, Solenopsis geminata group 

(Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae). J. New York Entomol. Soc. 99: 141-198.

3. Wojcik, D.P., W.F. Buren, E.E. Grissell, and T. Carysle. 1976. The fire ants 

(Solenopsis) of Florida. Fla. Dept. Agr. & Consumer Serv., Div. Plant Ind. 

Entomology Circular No. 173., November 1976. 4 pp.

There are several online sites that provide taxonomic characteristics and/or ID 

keys, including:

1. Antkey

2. Pacific Invasive Ant key

3. Ants of the Southeastern U.S.

4. eXtension website for Imported Fire Ant
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 2-9

For field identification of red imported fire ants, there is the newly developed 

InvictDetectTM Immunostrip field kit available from Agdia® Inc; available Fall 

2017. This is a lateral flow immunoassay test that can be used in the field to 

identify red imported fire ants. It will not identify black IFA at this time, but 

will identify many hybrids as well. Each test kit uses 3-5 worker ants that must 

be thoroughly macerated with a buffer in a vial. A test strip is then placed in 

the resulting solution and allowed to develop over 10-30 minutes. A single line 

indicates the test strip is active, and 2 single lines indicate a positive for red 

IFA. The test uses venom proteins to identify the ants, thus the need to 

thoroughly grind up the worker ants. All materials for the test are included in 

the kit except gloves and forceps for collecting ants. We hope to be able to 

identify black IFA in a similar manner in 2019.

Samples may need to go to USDA for identification/confirmation if they are 

first in state or first in county records. You can contact your state agricultural 

university/extension office for questions regarding identification, as well as the 

state department of agriculture or the State PPQ office.

Reporting of Survey Finding

The State Plant Regulatory Officer (SPRO) will do the following:

1. Provide semi-annual and annual (per cooperative agreement) IFA reports to 

the State Plant Health Director (SPHD). See Figure B-8 on page B-24 for 

an example of a report record.

2. Submit survey data for entry into NAPIS or IPHIS by the State Survey 

Coordinator as appropriate.

3. Submit changes in the IFA quarantine area based on survey results as 

needed. Submit these requests with an original signature on official 

letterhead with attached descriptions and maps to the PPQ SPHD by 

December 1 of each year so that this may be reported to NOM and NPM by 

December 31.

The State Plant Health Director will do the following:

1. Review cooperative agreement work plans and reports. Timely reports are 

required to approve federal reimbursement for work performed.

2. Provide the National Operations Manager (NOM) with semi-annual and 

annual reports covering regulatory, survey, and control activities. 

3. Submit changes in the IFA quarantine to the NOM by December 15 of each 

year. The NOM will then submit changes to the National Policy Manager 

by December 31.
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When to Quarantine an Area or County

7 CFR 301.81-3(a) states that the APHIS Administrator “will quarantine each 

State or each portion of a State that is infested” with IFA. When IFA are found 

in areas that were previously not infested, the State should implement a state 

quarantine of that area and forward a description of that area to the PPQ State 

Plant Health Director (SPHD). The SPHD in turn will notify the appropriate 

PPQ Field Operations staff of these changes which will be published first as a 

Federal Order and ultimately as an Interim Rule in the Federal Register. This 

change to the federal quarantine will be written to parallel the State quarantine. 

Ideally, this process should be done annually. In general, an area should be 

added to the IFA Quarantine if colonies have been present for three 

consecutive years, indicating reproducing populations. An area should be 

immediately quarantined if IFA are found on articles leaving an area that is not

within the IFA Quarantine.

Decisions regarding when and where to quarantine areas for the IFA 

Quarantine are often complex, and should be determined by consensus 

between State and Federal officials. There is no numerical threshold, such as 

the number of IFA colonies per acre, or other measure that definitively 

determines if an area should be considered generally infested. Among the 

questions when deciding if an area should or should not be quarantined are:

1. How long have IFA been in the area?

2. Was the area infested by the natural spread of IFA or by human-assisted 

means? If spread is by humans, has the pathway been shut down or can 

more incursions be expected?

3. Can you delimit the area where IFA have become established?

4. Can the IFA be successfully eradicated? If so, how long will it take and 

how much will it cost?

5. How big is the risk of IFA moving out of the area if that area is not 

quarantined?

6. Have the people who will be affected within the area being considered for 

quarantine been informed of what will be expected of them for compliance 

with the quarantine regulations?
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Guidelines for Deregulation

1. Areas that would be considered for deregulation would be those areas that 

are not bounded by IFA infestations on all sides (i.e. the northern/western 

boundaries of the IFA quarantined areas or areas that are islands of 

infestation that are under regulation such as NM).

2. Three consecutive years of negative survey results following the Imported 

Fire Ant USDA APHIS Program Manual’s survey, bait, and environmental 

guidelines. Global position coordinates have to be provided for

documentation of negative and positive surveyed areas. 

3. All areas selected for deregulation are required to have a 3-mile buffer zone 

from the nearest infestation. (i.e. a deregulated area of 1 sq. mile would 

have a 3 mile regulated buffer along the deregulated area on infested sides).

4. The State Plant Regulatory Official would submit a request for areas of 

deregulation to their State Plant Health Director outlining the boundaries of 

the requested areas to be considered for deregulation with all the 

supporting survey documentation.

5. Individual nurseries shall not be declared deregulated within a quarantined 

area.
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-1

Chapter

3 Regulatory Procedures

Contents

Introduction 3-1

General Regulatory Information 3-2

Principle Regulatory Activities 3-2

Investigations and Violations 3-3

Outreach 3-4

Special Regulatory Operations 3-4

Issuing an Emergency Action Notification 3-4

Regulatory Forms 3-4

Specific Regulatory Information for Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 3-5

Regulated Articles 3-5

Quarantined Areas 3-5

Treatments and/or Management Practices for Regulated Articles 3-6

Certifying Regulated Articles 3-6

Compliance Agreements 3-9

How to Inspect for IFA at Nurseries under Compliance Agreement 3-9

Collecting Soil/Media Samples for Pesticide Residue Analysis 3-12

Leaving the Quarantine (Movement, Passing Through, Arrival and Post 

Arrival) 3-12

Determining the Movement Status of Articles at Inspection Locations 

3-12

Inspecting Commodities for IFA at Inspection Stations and at Destination 

3-14

Handling IFA Interceptions/Violations at Inspection Stations and at 

Nurseries Outside the Quarantined Area 3-15

What to Do in State of Origin if a Nursery Shipment is Returned 3-20

Handling IFA Infestations Outside the Quarantined Area in the 

Environment 3-20

Policing the Quarantine 3-21

Blitzes - Staging Weigh Station Blitzes 3-21

Identification 3-25

Introduction

The Plant Protection Act of 2000 (Statute 7 USC 7701-7758) provides the 

authority to implement emergency quarantine action. This provision is for 

interstate regulatory action only; intrastate regulatory action is provided under 

state authority. State departments of agriculture normally work in conjunction 

with federal actions by issuing their own parallel hold orders and quarantines 

for intrastate movement.
Regulatory Procedures

General Regulatory Information 

3-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

If the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture determines that an extraordinary 

emergency exists and that the measures taken by the State are inadequate, 

USDA can execute intrastate regulatory action provided that the governor of 

the State has been consulted and a notice has been published in the Federal 

Register. If intrastate action cannot or will not be taken by a state, then PPQ 

may find it necessary to quarantine an entire State.

The Federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine (7CFR 301.81) provides the 

authority to conduct regulatory activities. In addition to the Federal 

Quarantine, individual States have established state quarantines to control 

intrastate movement of regulated material in accordance with federal 

regulations.

General Regulatory Information

Principle Regulatory Activities

Regulatory activities are directed at implementing and enforcing quarantine 

provisions governing movement of regulated articles which could result in the 

human-assisted dispersal of imported fire ants. Typical activities include:

1. Identifying persons and establishments whose business or personal 

activities could result in the further dispersal of Solenopsis invicta, S. 

richteri and S. invicta x richteri hybrid.

2. Contacting by regulatory visit, mail, email, and/or telephone those 

identified persons or establishments to explain quarantine provisions.

3. Determining if provisions of the quarantine (e.g., treatment or processing) 

may be applied to permit the person or establishment to move regulated 

articles out of the quarantined area.

4. Conducting inspections of regulated articles and monitoring procedures to 

mitigate pest risk on a shipment by shipment basis, as needed.

5. Issuing Limited Permits (PPQ Form 530) to allow movement of regulated 

articles out of the quarantine area to a specific destination for further 

processing or treatment.

6. Issuing Certificates (PPQ Form 540) to allow movement of regulated 

articles out of the quarantined area when they have been treated or 

processed in such a manner that they no longer present a risk for further 

dispersal of imported fire ants.

7. Entering into a Compliance Agreement at the discretion of the inspector 

with a person or establishment that can demonstrate their ability to meet 

the provisions of the quarantine.
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8. Conducting periodic physical site visits to monitor the activities of those 

persons or establishments placed under a Compliance Agreement to 

observe and assess treatments or other processes and activities. The 

periodicity of monitoring is based on risk assessment of the product and the 

business or individual under compliance.

9. Conducting and/or assisting with investigations of suspected violations of 

the quarantine as necessary and appropriate.

10. Recording information about contacts, visits, and compliance agreements 

and maintaining data on persons or establishments affected by the 

quarantine in an approved APHIS database.

11. Reporting results of regulatory activities to management officials.

12. Conducting special regulatory operations.

13. Researching local and interstate trade movement to determine pathway 

risk.

Investigations and Violations

When a potential violation of the Federal IFA quarantine is suspected (IFA 

found on a regulated item outside the quarantined area, or lack of certification 

accompanying regulated items outside the quarantined area), State and/or 

Federal regulatory personnel in the affected state(s) will conduct initial 

preliminary investigations to determine if a violation of the quarantine has 

occurred. These investigations will also attempt to identify and trace the source 

and destination of any other related shipments of regulated materials that have 

occurred. Preliminary investigations by State and Federal regulatory personnel 

in the affected state(s) will allow management to determine whether the 

situation warrants additional formal investigation by USDA-APHISInvestigation and Enforcement Services (IES) personnel.

In general, penalties for violating the IFA quarantine are tiered. The first 

instance of an IFA regulatory violation by a nursery will result in a Letter of 

Information (LOI), particularly if the nursery was making a good faith effort to 

follow the regulations. This letter re-iterates the regulations and the 

requirements that the nursery or establishment must follow. A second violation 

by the same establishment may result in their compliance agreement being 

revoked and any “stamps” being confiscated, and thus not allowing them to 

ship outside the quarantined area for a defined period of time or until the 

deficiencies which led to the violation are corrected. Continued violations or 

very egregious violations can result in financial penalties as allowed by the 

Plant Protection Act.
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General Regulatory Information 

3-4 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Outreach

Outreach is a vital component of every aspect of the IFA program. Without 

public support and cooperation, the efficacy of the program is very limited. 

Regulatory personnel should utilize opportunities during general regulatory 

activities and special regulatory operations to inform the public about the IFA 

program and enlist their cooperation.

Special Regulatory Operations

Another aspect of regulatory activity is to identify and conduct special 

operations to serve as deterrents and quality control for movement of regulated 

articles. These operations also give unique opportunities to inform the public 

of the pest and related regulations. The operations may be conducted with state 

cooperators. Special regulatory operations may include:

Rest stop and weigh station operations to monitor quality control.

Special focus operations to concentrate regulatory activities in a smaller 

area of interest.

Any special regulatory operation should be coordinated with Tribal 

governments and Federal, State, and local authorities including, but not limited 

to: Tribal, State, and local police departments, state departments of agriculture, 

state departments of transportation, and others as appropriate.

Issuing an Emergency Action Notification

After an initial suspect positive detection in a new area outside a quarantined 

area, an Emergency Action Notification (PPQ Form 523) may be issued to 

place a hold on regulated material or facilities where regulated material may be 

found pending positive identification by a USDA APHIS PPQ recognized 

authority.

An Emergency Action Notification (EAN) may also be issued within the 

quarantine area to order a hold, treatment, destruction, or other safeguarding 

action for a regulated material due to a potential pest risk. The EAN may be 

completed by hand in the field, but must be transferred into the EAN database 

within 14 days. Authority for EAN issuance is to be determined by each state's 

command structure.

Regulatory Forms

Templates or examples of regulatory forms are located in the Appendices and 

discussed later in this chapter:

Compliance Agreements

Letter of Information (LOI)
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-5

PPQ Form 518 (Report of Violation)

PPQ Form 523 (Emergency Action Notification)

PPQ Form 530 (Limited Permit)

PPQ Form 540 (Certificate)

Resource materials

Specific Regulatory Information for Imported Fire Ant Quarantine

Regulated Articles

Regulated articles for IFA include the following and require a certificate or 

limited permit for interstate movement out of a regulated area:

Baled hay and baled straw stored in direct contact with the ground

Imported fire ant queens and reproducing colonies of imported fire ants 

(requires an insect permit PPQ-526 available through the PPQ Permits 

section and will not be covered here)

Plants and sod with roots and soil attached, except plants maintained 

indoors in a home or office environment and not for sale

Soil, separately or with other articles, except potting soil that is shipped in 

original containers in which the soil was placed after commercial 

preparation

Used soil-moving equipment, unless removed of all noncompacted soil; 

and

Any other article or means of conveyance when:

An inspector determines that it presents a risk of spread of the 

imported fire ant due to its proximity to an infestation of the imported 

fire ant; and

The person in possession of the product, article, or means of 

conveyance has been notified that it is regulated under this subpart.

Quarantined Areas

A list of the quarantined areas can be found in 7CFR 301.81-3 and associated 

Federal Orders which can be found on the USDA-APHIS-PPQ Imported Fire 

Ant page. A static map and an interactive map can also be found on the above 

mentioned website.

The quarantine area includes all or part of 14 states and Puerto Rico: all of 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Puerto 

Rico; parts of Arkansas, California, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, 

Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
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Specific Regulatory Information for Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 

3-6 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Treatments and/or Management Practices for Regulated 

Articles

Approved treatments are available for many of the regulated articles. 

Certification for movement is based on proof of treatment (compliance 

agreement/observation of treatment/treatment records). Best management 

practices (BMPs) have been developed for a few regulated articles to assist in 

sanitizing the article/commodity; the articles may be certified for movement 

based on inspection. The final bullet of regulated articles above covers any 

means of conveyance that presents a risk of moving IFA. These articles are 

regulated and certified on a case-by-case basis, based on handling, treatment 

and/or inspection.

Approved regulatory treatments are determined by program management and 

approved through the APHIS-PPQ Treatment Manual process. Detailed 

specifications for treatments can be found in the current edition of the PPQ 

Treatment Manual (D301.81-10).

Certifying Regulated Articles

A certificate may be issued for the interstate movement of a regulated article 

(7CFR 301.81-5) if the article meets any one of these conditions:

Has been grown, produced, manufactured, stored or handled in such a 

manner that would prevent infestation or destroy all life stages of the 

imported fire ant; 

or

Has been treated in accordance with part 305 as cited by 7 CFR 301.81-5 

(see PPQ Treatment Manual section D301.81-10);

or

Is free of an imported fire ant infestation, based on plant inspector’s visual 

examination of the article;

or

If the article is containerized nursery stock, it has been produced in 

accordance with 7 CFR 301.81-11 (containerized stock may be treated 

per 7 CFR 305 or produced in accordance with 7 CFR 301.81-11: IFA 

Free Nursery Program).

Refer to Table 3-1 on page 3-7 to determine certification options for moving 

IFA items.
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-7

The certificate should accompany the shipping documents, but can also be 

attached to the regulated article or the outside of the container encasing it. Both 

the origin and destination establishments should retain the documents for three 

years. PPQ has authorized the use of several types of certificates to meet the 

needs of various shipping situations.

Rubber Stamps

Rubber stamps can be issued to establishments that ship regulated articles 

frequently and in volume. The establishment must be under a compliance 

agreement, and the state cooperator or PPQ Officer must inspect the 

establishment periodically (at least annually) to ensure that requirements for 

treatments, other safeguards, and use of the certificate are being met. Some 

states use rubber stamps that are for IFA certification only, and use other 

rubber stamps that cover certification for all other federal plant pests. Be sure 

the entity with the stamp understands what it covers. Keep accurate records on 

what stamps are in circulation and to whom they are issued. If a grower goes 

out of business, retrieve the stamp and destroy it, and void the number. If a 

stamp is worn out or lost, please contact your PPQ State Plant Health Director 

for a new stamp.

Table 3-1 Determining Certification Options for Moving IFA Items

Regulated Article Available Treatments Management Options Certification Options

Specifically regulated (7 

CFR 301.81-2 a-e)

Approved treatments - 

nursery stock/sod

Under compliance 

agreement

Issue annual certificate (PPQ Form 

540, rubber stamp, other certificate)

Not under compliance 

agreement

Inspect and issue limited permit 

(PPQ Form 530)

No approved treatments 

- baled hay/straw

Inspect and issue limited permit 

(PPQ Form 530)

Case by case - contact local State 

Plant Regulatory Official or USDA, 

APHIS, PPQ Official

Approved treatments not

feasible - bulk soil

Case by case - contact local State 

Plant Regulatory Official or USDA, 

APHIS, PPQ Official

Not specifically regulated 

(7CFR 301.81-2 f)

No approved treatments 

- apiary equipment

Best management 

practices followed

If bees going to CA check CDFA 

website for guidance and paperwork required

Inspect and issue certificate/limited permit (PPQ Form 530)

Best management 

practices not followed

Case by case - contact local State 

Plant Regulatory Official or USDA, 

APHIS, PPQ Official All other means of conveyance
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3-8 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

The certification is stamped on the shipping documents. The only stamps 

allowed are those stamps with a state abbreviation and a sequential number 

(for example, GA 001, GA 002, etc.) in the federal shield. Stamps previously 

issued with a Southeastern Region number or a Hyattsville, Maryland address 

are obsolete and the shipment should be considered uncertified. Please contact 

your PPQ State Plant Health Director with any questions regarding rubber 

stamp validity.

Paper Regulatory Letter

A few states issue a paper regulatory letter for IFA compliance from the PPQ 

State Plant Health Director’s office in conjunction with a compliance 

agreement. This letter must accompany all shipments. If a letter format is used, 

there should be an effective date and an expiration date on the letter. The 

establishment must be under compliance agreement, and the state cooperator 

or PPQ Officer must inspect the establishment periodically (at least annually) 

to ensure that requirements for treatments, other safeguards, and use of the 

certificate are being met.

Electronic Stamps or Certificates

These are stickers or shields that are pre-printed on cartons or mailing labels/

nursery shipping tags. The establishment must be under compliance 

agreement, and the state cooperator or PPQ Officer must inspect the 

establishment periodically (at least annually) to ensure that requirements for 

treatments, other safeguards, and use of the certificate are being met. PPQ 

offices authorize the use of preprinted/embossed certificates.

PPQ Issued Permits/Certificates (PPQ Forms 530/540)

These are documents issued by state/federal personnel upon inspection of a 

regulated article to be moved and include PPQ Form 530 (Limited Permit) and 

PPQ Form 540 (Certificate). These are usually issued when a compliance 

agreement is not in place. Directions for completing forms and examples are in 

Appendix B.
 Regulatory Procedures

Specific Regulatory Information for Imported Fire Ant Quarantine

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-9

Compliance Agreements

Compliance agreements function as a contract between the regulated entity and 

PPQ. For detailed information on compliance agreements, see Appendix B.

Entering Into a Compliance Agreement

If an establishment regularly ships large quantities of regulated articles (e.g., 

nursery stock) outside the regulated area, then the establishment should operate 

under a compliance agreement. Persons who grow, handle, or move regulated 

articles interstate may enter into a compliance agreement (PPQ Form 519) if 

they can meet the following conditions:

Review with an inspector each stipulation of the compliance agreement

Have facilities and equipment to carry out disinfestation procedures or 

application of chemical materials in accordance with this manual or the 

PPQ Treatment Manual.

Meet applicable state training and certification standards as authorized by 

the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

Canceling a Compliance Agreement

An inspector may cancel any compliance agreement orally or in writing 

whenever the inspector determines that the person who has entered into the 

agreement has not complied with the conditions of the agreement (see 

regulations for details: 7 CFR 301.81-7).

Reviewing a Compliance Agreement

Ideally, a compliance agreement should be reviewed and signed every year. 

Printed certificates or stamps may be issued to persons under compliance 

agreements. Ensure stamps are in good condition each year, and replace as 

necessary (collect and destroy old worn out stamps). Keep accurate records of 

stamp/certificate number disbursement.

Examples of Compliance Agreements

For examples of compliance agreements (PPQ Form 519), see Appendix C. 

These examples were compiled from examples submitted by several States.

How to Inspect for IFA at Nurseries under Compliance 

Agreement

The following information was modified from information prepared for use by 

plant inspectors with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer 

Services, Division of Plant Industry.
Regulatory Procedures

Specific Regulatory Information for Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 

3-10 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Procedure

Step 1: Identify yourself.

When you arrive at the nursery, identify yourself to the owner or manager and 

gain approval to be on the property before conducting the IFA inspection. Have 

a copy of the current compliance agreement on hand, and review the document 

for any changes to production and/or shipping patterns that need to be 

addressed. Is the nursery shipping less material out of the quarantine than in 

the past and is no longer treating all nursery stock, but only that which is 

shipping outside the quarantine or vice versa?

Step 2: Check treatment records.

Check the nursery’s treatment records to see what approved chemicals, dates 

and rates of application were used on each shipment. The nursery is required 

by law to maintain a record for your inspection (if no State law, then 

recordkeeping per Code of Federal Regulations Title 7 Part 110 pertains; 

USDA-AMS administers the Federal Pesticide Recordkeeping Program, which 

requires all certified private pesticide applicators to keep records of their use of 

federally restricted use pesticides (RUP) for a period of 2 years). Every effort 

should be made to witness some of the treatments to insure they are being 

conducted in accordance with approved rates. Document any proof of 

treatments as needed: copies, photos of records, etc. Please refer to the current 

PPQ Treatment Manual for appropriate treatments and make sure the nursery 

understands bulk density and dose rates. Report any violations to your 

supervisor.

Step 3: Inspect the nursery.

A. Inspections may be visual or by baiting/trapping. Pond perimeters, 

ditch banks and culverts, edges of roads, greenhouses, buildings and 

concrete pads are common locations to find IFA. If using bait vials, see 

Chapter 2, Delimiting Survey. Place baits in an acceptable 

configuration around the perimeter, staging/shipping area, plant blocks, 

along roads, etc. Optimum times for inspections/survey are noted in 

Chapter 2, so if fall/winter inspections are required, be thorough, as 

leaves and weather events can mask evidence of IFA.

B. Start your inspection of the perimeter, looking for debris and weedy 

areas where IFA can hide and have nests. If IFA can be found on

adjacent properties it may be beneficial for the nursery to contact the 

adjacent property owners to proactively prevent IFA infestations. Also 

check the shipping area and its surroundings (mapping the nursery will 

make it easier for you). Remind growers of the importance of 

inspecting the transportation vehicle (truck/trailer) for IFA prior to 

loading any nursery stock for shipping.
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Specific Regulatory Information for Imported Fire Ant Quarantine

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-11

C. After the perimeter, start with the nursery’s potted material. Check 

rows for any soil mounds from the bottom of the drainage holes or ant 

mounds on top of the pots. If you suspect ants, kick the pots to elicit a 

response from the ants.

D. For field grown nursery stock, inspect blocks to be harvested this year 

and balled stock stored for later shipping.

E. For grass sod, inspect growing sod by walking areas to be harvested 

this year. Closely examine areas of taller, darker green grass and 

clumps of weeds.

Taking an ant sample for ID is helpful. If you see different stages of ant 

development, collect 5-10 of each life stage present. Put them in a vial of 

alcohol if sending them to an identifier; if using the InvictDetectTM 

Immunostrip® kit, do not put them in alcohol, just freeze or chill until you can 

test them. For steps to obtain identification, see Identification on page 3-25.

Step 4: Contact the owner or manager.

If you find IFA, contact the owner or manager. Point out the problem(s) and 

discuss options for addressing the problem.

Step 5: Collect samples.

To test for compliance with agreement, collect treated soil/media samples for 

residue analysis by a state or federal laboratory. If the grower incorporates 

insecticide into potting media for containerized nursery stock, take soil 

samples from the soil bin. You may also take soil/media samples from plants in 

containers for both incorporated or drench treatments, from balled nursery 

stock and from grass sod (instructions for media sample collection follows this 

section).

! CAUTION

Be careful where you stand/touch!
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Leaving the Quarantine (Movement, Passing Through, Arrival and Post Arrival) 

3-12 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Collecting Soil/Media Samples for Pesticide Residue 

Analysis

Compliance/Violation

Contact your State plant regulatory official/inspector (see Appendix A) prior to 

collecting samples to determine where to submit samples and any costs 

associated with the work.

If the State does not provide specific instructions for sample collection, use the 

following protocol:

Collect potting media from multiple containers/rootballs within the 

shipment for a total of approximately one-half gallon of media, and place 

in a heavy duty plastic bag. Do this for each different media type you 

want pesticide residue determined for. Double bagging is encouraged to 

ensure against breakage during shipping. If there will be a delay in 

testing, freeze the samples.

If a sample form is not supplied by the State, please include with each 

sample:

Contact person name, phone number, mailing address, and email 

address;

Date sample collected;

Requested service: bulk density determination; and

Any additional remarks or comments, as needed.

Leaving the Quarantine (Movement, Passing Through, Arrival and 

Post Arrival)

Determining the Movement Status of Articles at Inspection 

Locations

Use the following decision tables to determine the movement status of articles 

at inspection locations.

Table 3-2 Determining Movement Status of Articles at Inspection Locations

If the article is: Then:

Nonregulated for IFA GO to Table 3-3 on page 3-13

Regulated for IFA GO to Table 3-4 on page 3-14
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-13

Table 3-3 Determining Movement Status of IFA Nonregulated Articles

If the article is: And is: Then:

Free of IFA ALLOW movement

Not free of IFA Infested1 with 

IFA (presence of 

queen or 

reproducing 

colony)

1 An article or means of conveyance is considered infested if an IFA queen or a reproducing 

colony of IFA is present. A reproducing colony is a combination of one or more IFA workers 

with one or more of the following immature IFA life forms: (1) eggs, (2) larvae, or (3) pupae. 

However, grass sod and plants with roots and with soil attached are considered infested if any 

life form of IFA is present, because the soil associated with these articles provides an ideal 

substrate for colonization.

CHOOSE one of these options:

1. Return the article to its origin. Follow instructions 

for Returning Infested Articles to their Origin on 

page 3-16.

2. Remove and destroy the article. Follow instructions for Removing and Destroying Infested Shipments on page 3-16.

3. Treat the article. Follow instructions for Treating 

Infested Shipments or Noncertified Regulated 

Articles on page 3-17.

Not infested with 

IFA (presence of 

worker ants 

only)

CHOOSE one of these options:

1. Allow movement

2. Allow movement to destination for inspection. 

Follow instructions for Allowing Movement of 

Shipments Suspected to be Infested with IFA on 

page 3-18.
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3-14 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Inspecting Commodities for IFA at Inspection Stations and at 

Destination

If the entire load is from one nursery/establishment, inspect 10-20 plants from 

the load. If the load is made up of plants from several nurseries/establishments, 

attempt to inspect 5-7 plants from each nursery. Use gloves to protect hands 

from stings while inspecting. If you are in the back of a trailer, use a flashlight 

to assist in the inspection. Kick or hit the container/root ball/sod pallet to elicit 

ant activity. Check the surface of plant containers as well as the drain holes for 

soil that appears to have been worked by ants. Moving small plants/flats a few 

inches may also elicit ant activity. Check the top of root balls where the plant 

exits the burlap for loose soil. Check around the pallets holding grass sod for 

loose soil. Large boxed trees that have not been moved recently may need to be 

tipped to inspect underneath for ants and response may not be immediate. If 

ants are suspected but not visible, place ant bait/attractants (see Chapter 2 for 

attractants) in the cargo area with the commodity for one hour. Collect ants for 

identification.

Table 3-4 Determining Movement Status of IFA Regulated Articles

If the article is: And is: Then:

Free of IFA Accompanied 

by a certificate 

or permit

ALLOW movement

Not

accompanied 

by a certificate 

or permit

Choose one of these options:

1. Return the article to its origin. Follow instructions 

for Returning Infested Articles to their Origin on 

page 3-16.

2. Remove and destroy the article. Follow instructions 

for Removing and Destroying Infested Shipments

on page 3-16.

3. Treat the article. Follow instructions for Treating 

Infested Shipments or Noncertified Regulated Articles on page 3-17.

Not free of IFA 1. Hold the article and check if origin nursery is under 

compliance agreement.

2. Take soil sample if applicable.

3. Choose one of these options:

A. Return the article to its origin. Follow instructions 

for Returning Infested Articles to their Origin on 

page 3-16.

B. Remove and destroy the article. Follow instructions for Removing and Destroying Infested 

Shipments on page 3-16.

C. Treat the article. Follow instructions for Treating 

Infested Shipments or Noncertified Regulated 

Articles on page 3-17.
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Leaving the Quarantine (Movement, Passing Through, Arrival and Post Arrival)

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-15

For soil moving equipment, inspect tires, tracks, blades, rippers, buckets, 

attachments, etc. for loose soil. Use a trowel or other implement to break up 

loose soil to look for ants. Use a flashlight to look under the carriage of the 

equipment for areas that soil can loosely pack in.

Handling IFA Interceptions/Violations at Inspection Stations 

and at Nurseries Outside the Quarantined Area

In most cases, IFA finds at an inspection station or at a nursery outside 

quarantined area, or potential violations due to lack of certification, will 

initially be handled by state personnel under their statutory authority. The 

SPRO will notify the SPHD of the incident, who will notify IES as appropriate. 

The SPRO and SPHD will coordinate contact with the corresponding officials 

in the state of origin (for all inter-state violations). IFA violations resulting 

from intra-state movement of items (for those states that are partially 

quarantined) will be handled by the State, but notification of an incident to the 

SPHD is requested. An investigation may occur and penalties may be incurred 

at either the Federal or State level, as appropriate. Options for handling the 

infested material are detailed below.

Co-Mingled Shipments

Co-mingled shipments present a challenge in all phases of IFA compliance and 

regulatory actions. If there is a suspected IFA violation within a co-mingled 

shipment, and clear distinct ownership cannot be determined, there is the 

potential for all parties to be impacted. Please seek guidance from the SPHD 

and from the PPQ National Program Manager in these instances.

! CAUTION

Use extreme caution and always think safety first when inspecting soil moving 

equipment.

Figure 3-1 Inspectors Looking for IFA on a Nursery Truck
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3-16 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Holding Shipments

When you detect ants, either at an inspection station or at destination nursery, 

and send the interception for identification (see Identification), the shipment 

must remain within the inspection area or designated holding area until results 

are known. You may use an Emergency Action Notification (EAN), PPQ Form 

523, to quarantine the shipment. The owner has the option of applying an 

approved treatment prior to final identification to expedite movement. If 

movement is necessary before final determination, control the movement 

according to procedures for Allowing Movement of Shipments Suspected to be 

Infested with IFA on page 3-18.

Returning Infested Articles to their Origin

Step 1: Issue an Emergency Action Notification (EAN) (PPQ Form 523).

Follow the directions in Appendix B.

Step 2: Safeguard the shipment.

Inform the carrier of actions necessary to minimize risk of spread of IFA on the 

shipment’s return trip to its origin, including routing the return trip directly 

through the infested area if possible. List these actions on the EAN. Secure the 

truck with a quarantine tag (PPQ Form 244) and a USDA or state agricultural 

seal and inform the carrier that the seal can be broken only by a responsible 

official or designee at the shipment’s origin.

Step 3: Issue a Limited Permit (PPQ Form 530).

Follow the directions in Appendix B.

Step 4: Notify the State of origin.

Notify by telephone that you found a shipment in violation. Provide the 

expected date of arrival and contents of the shipment. For a list of State 

contacts and phone numbers, see Appendix A. Mail the appropriate copies of 

the Limited Permit and the EAN to the State contact.

Step 5: Document the violation (PPQ Form 518).

Follow the directions in Appendix B.

Removing and Destroying Infested Shipments

Method of disposal includes treatment followed by destruction of the material. 

Methods of treatment include heat, freezing or chemical treatment; destruction 

may include burning or disposal in an appropriate landfill, depending on the 

material. Occasionally the foreman of an express or freight agency or the 

driver of the truck may prefer to remove, treat if necessary, and destroy the 

prohibited material rather than return it to origin. Discourage this action unless 

the transporting agency is also the owner of the articles. If ants are intercepted 

at destination during offloading, the receiving nursery/vendor may choose to 

treat if necessary or destroy the material.
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Leaving the Quarantine (Movement, Passing Through, Arrival and Post Arrival)

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-17

Step 1: Issue an Emergency Action Notification (EAN).

Follow the directions in Appendix B.

Step 2: Collect soil samples.

See Collecting Soil/Media Samples for Pesticide Residue Analysis on page 

3-12. If you can determine what group of nursery stock is involved, collect 

samples from blocks of plants from the same truck load; i.e. collect soil from 

all one type of plant from the same load or same originating nursery and make 

a composite sample.

Step 3: Safeguard the shipment.

Inform the carrier of actions necessary to minimize the risk of spread of IFA on 

the shipment’s return trip (either to origin or other site for destruction), 

including routing the return trip directly through the infested area, if possible. 

List these actions on the EAN. Monitor removal and disposal of the material. If 

the disposal site is at a distant location, secure the truck with a quarantine tag 

(PPQ Form 244) and a USDA or a state agricultural seal and inform the carrier 

that the seal can be broken only by a responsible official or designee at the 

shipment’s disposal location.

Step 4: Issue a Limited Permit (PPQ Form 530).

If an inspector must meet the shipment at a distant disposal site, issue a 

Limited Permit. Follow the directions in Appendix B.

Step 5: Notify officials/inspector located in the area of disposal.

Notify by telephone that you found a shipment in violation. Provide the 

expected date of arrival and contents of the shipment. Disposal in another State 

must be cleared with the State plant regulatory official of that State prior to 

movement. For a list of State contacts and phone numbers, see Appendix A. 

Mail the appropriate copies of the Limited Permit and the EAN to the State 

contact if another State is involved, or to the inspector responsible for 

monitoring at the disposal site.

Step 6: Document the violation (PPQ Form 518)

Follow the directions in Appendix B.

Treating Infested Shipments or Noncertified Regulated Articles

Methods of treatment include heat, freezing, or chemical treatment. Approved 

treatments are published in this manual and in the PPQ Treatment Manual. The 

foreman of an express or freight agency or the driver of the truck may prefer to 

treat the prohibited material. Encourage notification of the owner before 

treatment to determine if the shipment would still be accepted after treatment. 

Treatment at destination would be at the discretion of the receiving nursery/

vendor/etc.
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Leaving the Quarantine (Movement, Passing Through, Arrival and Post Arrival) 

3-18 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Step 1: Issue an Emergency Action Notification (EAN).

Follow the directions in Appendix B.

Step 2: Collect soil samples.

See Collecting Soil/Media Samples for Pesticide Residue Analysis on page 

3-12. If you can determine what group of nursery stock is involved, collect 

samples from blocks of plants from the same truck load; i.e. collect soil from 

all one type of plant from the same load or same originating nursery and make 

a composite sample.

Step 3: Safeguard the shipment.

Inform the carrier of actions necessary to minimize the risk of spreading IFA 

during transport to the treatment site. List these actions on the EAN.

Step 4: Monitor the treatment.

Refer to Appendix C for approved treatments. Make sure that treatments are 

carried out according to the specific schedules. If the treatment site is at a 

distant location, secure the truck with a quarantine tag (PPQ Form 244) and a 

USDA or a state agricultural seal and inform the carrier that the seal can be 

broken only by a responsible official or designee at the treatment site.

Step 5: Issue a Limited Permit (PPQ Form 530).

If an inspector must meet the shipment at a distant treatment site, issue a 

Limited Permit. Follow directions for use, completion, and distribution in 

Appendix B.

Step 6: Notify officials/inspectors in the area where the treatment will 

take place.

Notify the appropriate official by telephone that you found a shipment in 

violation. Provide information such as expected date of arrival and contents of 

the shipment. You must clear treatment in another State with the State plant 

regulatory official of that State before the shipment moves. For State contacts 

and phone numbers, refer to Appendix A. Mail the appropriate copy of the 

limited permit and a copy of the EAN to the State contact if another State is 

involved, or to the inspector responsible for monitoring at the treatment site.

Step 7: Document the violation on Report of Violation (PPQ Form 518).

Follow directions for use and completion in Appendix B).

Allowing Movement of Shipments Suspected to be Infested with IFA

If you suspect the shipment is infested with IFA, but lack definitive 

identification, or if reproducing colonies are not readily evident, follow these 

steps:
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-19

Step 1: Issue an Emergency Action Notification (EAN).

Follow the directions in Appendix B. List the conditions for movement and 

unloading of the shipment on the EAN.

Step 2: Safeguard the shipment.

Inform the carrier of actions necessary to minimize risk of spread of IFA 

during movement to destination. List these actions on the EAN. Secure the 

truck with a quarantine tag (PPQ Form 244) and a USDA or a state agricultural 

seal and inform the carrier that the seal can be broken only by a responsible 

official or designee at the destination site.

Step 3: Issue a Limited Permit (PPQ Form 530).

Follow directions for use and completion in Appendix B.

Step 4: Notify officials/inspectors in the area where unloading will take 

place.

Notify the appropriate official by telephone that a shipment requires further 

inspection. Provide information such as expected date of arrival and contents 

of the shipment. If the final destination is in another state, notify the state plant 

regulatory official of that state before allowing the shipment to move. For state 

contacts and phone numbers, refer to Appendix A. Mail the appropriate copy 

of the Limited Permit and a copy of the EAN to the state contact if another 

state is involved, or to the inspector responsible for the inspection at the 

destination site.

Step 5: Collect soil samples at final destination.

See Collecting Soil/Media Samples for Pesticide Residue Analysis on page 

3-12. If you can determine what group of nursery stock is involved, collect 

samples from blocks of plants from the same truck load; i.e. collect soil from 

all one type of plant from the same load or same originating nursery and make 

a composite sample.
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Leaving the Quarantine (Movement, Passing Through, Arrival and Post Arrival) 

3-20 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

What to Do in State of Origin if a Nursery Shipment is 

Returned

If a shipment is returned because of IFA infestation or lack of certification, be 

present at the nursery (if possible) when the truck arrives. The truck should 

have a seal that will need to be broken to unload the plants. Have the plants 

pulled from the truck, and inspect pots (removing pots to look for nests) etc. 

Keep these plants segregated until the inspection is complete. If IFA are found, 

take separate samples of ants to send to the lab. Take a soil sample to submit 

for chemical analysis (see Collecting Soil/Media Samples for Pesticide 

Residue Analysis on page 3-12). If the nursery treated the product before 

shipping, get a copy of their treatment records. Document all work and if 

necessary, contact a USDA-IES investigator to be present. If necessary issue an 

Emergency Action Notification (EAN) (PPQ Form 523) to prohibit the nursery 

from selling outside the regulated area until the issue is resolved.

Nurseries that are under a compliance agreement, and have had an IFA 

violation, but the shipment was not returned, will need to be inspected and 

sampled. This includes all saleable plants and the soil bin. Obtain copies of the 

nurseries’ soil receipts or treatment records showing the addition of an 

approved chemical. Take nursery media samples from existing plants and from 

the media pile as appropriate to submit for chemical analysis (see Collecting 

Soil/Media Samples for Pesticide Residue Analysis on page 3-12). The nursery 

will not be reinstated until all tests for approved chemicals have come back 

with the appropriate amount of approved chemical incorporated, and Request 

for Reinstatement letter has been written and approval has been received.

Handling IFA Infestations Outside the Quarantined Area in 

the Environment

Regulatory incidents include those interceptions directly associated with a 

shipment of infested regulated material as discussed in Handling IFA 

Interceptions/Violations at Inspection Stations and at Nurseries Outside the 

Quarantined Area on page 3-15. However, a regulatory incident can also 

include IFA detected in a non-regulated area not immediately associated with a 

specific shipment, such as IFA found in a landscaped area of a commercial or 

residential area, or in the general environment. It may also include IFA found 

in a nursery but there is no specific shipment that can be associated with the 

find.

Step 1: Talk to landowner.

Talk to the landowner regarding recent landscaping, soil moving or other 

activities that could have moved IFA into the area. If sources are out of state, 

contact PPQ office to assist with trace backs. If sources are in state, contact 

sources and determine if they are in the quarantined area or not, or whether 

they received material from the quarantined area.
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-21

Step 2: Survey the site and assist with treatment.

Determine the extent of the infestation by survey. See Survey Procedures for 

survey methods. If you have an unusual situation contact PPQ for assistance 

with a survey plan. The State will oversee any treatment that is necessary and 

PPQ and/or local extension staff can provide guidelines for a treatment plan. 

Conduct follow-up surveys to insure eradication; quarterly or biannually 

through 1 year from date of treatment.

Step 3: Follow up Investigation

If there is a determination that the infestation resulted from the movement of 

regulated items from inside the quarantined area to outside the quarantined 

area, such as grass sod or nursery plants for landscaping purposes, or hay, 

penalties may be warranted (see Investigations and Violations on page 3-3.

Policing the Quarantine

Blitzes - Staging Weigh Station Blitzes

A blitz is an inspection of trucks carrying IFA-regulated articles at highway 

weigh stations. The purpose of the blitz is to monitor the movement of 

regulated articles, both intrastate and interstate.

Protocol

This section sets out some guidelines for conducting the blitzes and spells out 

the separation of duties between the state PPQ offices conducting the blitz and 

the PPQ Imported Fire Ant National Operations Manager (IFA NOM) giving 

oversight to the activities.

State PPQ offices will schedule and organize their own blitzes. They will 

coordinate with their sister agencies in their state to perform the blitzes. At 

least one blitz should take place during the peak shipping season.

Important: for the blitz to work properly there must be one head and only one. 

The agency that organizes the blitz should be in charge. Other agencies, if 

invited to assist, should follow the lead of the organizing agency.

Although not required, states are encouraged to include Smuggling Interdiction 

and Trade Compliance (SITC) and IES personnel in their blitzes so the blitz 

can cover other potential plant violations concurrently with the IFA blitz. 

Information gathered during blitzes, such as shipping documents and pesticide 

analysis results, will be forwarded to the PPQ IFA NOM to be disseminated to 

other states and to be analyzed for trends. This does not mean that states 

receiving nursery stock can't be immediately contacted by blitz personnel if 

they feel it is necessary. It is a regional responsibility to work with other state 

PPQ offices to track down shipments and growers if problems are found.
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3-22 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Suggested Activities during IFA Blitzes

1. Visually inspect nursery stock and heavy equipment for live fire ant 

infestations.

2. Check certificates of all nursery stock and make copies of all documents 

related to the shipment. Forward copies of these documents to the PPQ IFA 

NOM when the blitz is completed.

3. Take soil samples from all nursery stock shipments for laboratory analysis 

to determine presence/absence/levels of program pesticides. Forward 

copies of results to the PPQ IFA NOM for dissemination.

4. Look for other types of contraband as “targets of opportunity.”

Supplies

You will need the following materials to carry out a blitz:

Anaphylactic shock sting kit

Binoculars

Cameras

Cellular telephones

Clipboards

Electronic tablet or other device with access to appropriate database

Flashlights and headlamps (including batteries)

Hand cleaner

Head sets

Paperwork/forms

Carbon paper if needed

Civil penalty matrix

Contact information for State Plant Regulatory Officials (SPROs)

Copies of state IFA quarantines and maps

Copy of 7 CFR 301.81 (IFA quarantine)

IFA quarantine map

IFA weigh station blitz form or your state's data collection form

List of IFA infested counties

PPQ Form 244, Quarantine Tag

PPQ Form 391, Specimens for Determination

PPQ Form 523, Emergency Action Notification

PPQ Form 530/540, Limited Permit/Certificate
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02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-23

State highway maps, topographical maps, or atlas showing counties

Supply of USDA Program Aid No. APHIS 81-25-001 updated January 

2015

Pocket knife

Safety vests

Sample equipment

Alcohol

Aluminum foil

Bag seals

Forms

Pesticide residue form for state lab form

Specimen identification form for federal lab (PPQ Form 391) or 

state ID form

Latex gloves

Overnight express mail envelopes

Pencils (preferably mechanical)

Permanent markers (fine and ultra-fine point)

Plastic bags (1-gallon size, with zip seals)

Protein bait traps 

Scrub brush

Tape (wide with dispenser)

Trash bags (small)

Trowels

Vials

Truck seals

Two-way radios or other communication devices (including batteries)

USDA quarantine tape

Warm clothing

Policy and Procedure

We used two sources for development of these guidelines: the East Tennessee 

IFA Blitz Policy and Procedure from 2004, and the North Carolina IFA Blitz - 

Policies and Procedures (which was also based on the Tennessee policy). The 

states of Tennessee and North Carolina routinely conduct IFA blitzes and 

therefore have the best hands-on experience with conducting IFA blitzes.
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Policing the Quarantine 

3-24 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Weather and Safety Precautions

Follow these precautions when working a blitz:

Dress for all weather situations, especially rain. It can be rather windy and 

cold, especially on the walkway

Protect yourself against windburn/sunburn

Wear your reflective/safety vest at all times

Wear your photo ID at all times

Personnel Positions

There are basically four positions (8 people total) with separate and specific 

duties:

1. Spotter (one person) - The spotter is located near the entrance ramp and 

directional signals and has two main duties in traffic control:

A. Watch as the trucks enter the exit ramp to see if there are trucks using 

the bypass lane that should be checked, and then notify the walkway 

and investigation crews with a description of the truck.

B. Notify the switchboard when the ramp begins to fill up with a “green 

light” to direct trucks to the bypass and a “red light” to direct trucks 

back in the stop lane. A folding chair and a light pair of binoculars may 

be helpful in this position.

2. Walkway (three people) - The staff on the walkway between the scale and 

bypass lanes are the interviewers. The duty of the walkway crew is to ask 

the drivers what they are hauling. If it is live plant material, hay/straw, pine 

straw, and earth-moving equipment with non-compacted soil, etc. then flag 

them over to the inspection/investigation crew. Do not detain or question 

U.S. Mail, express mail couriers, tankers, car haulers, steel carriers, etc., 

just flag them on through. Under NO circumstances stop a truck in the 

“By-Pass” lane and question them there; flag the truck over to the 

investigation crew if need be. DO NOT STOP AND QUESTION THEM 

IN THE “BY-PASS” LANE!!

A. Point Person - It is the responsibility of the “point person” to notify the 

“rear person” what the next truck will be. Identify the truck as to color 

and type (i.e. Peterbilt, Mack, etc.). Always keep traffic flowing as 

quickly as possible. The point person is to keep a sharp eye on the 

By-Pass traffic to alert the rear person if a truck should be flagged over. 

! CAUTION

Come with the mindset of CAUTION. Always be alert to the dangers associated with 

this aspect of the job. This is a very dangerous place to work!
 Regulatory Procedures

Policing the Quarantine

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 3-25

The point person will also query drivers that stop beside him of the 

contents of their trucks.

B. Middle Person - It is the responsibility of the middle person to query 

drivers that stop beside him of the contents of their trucks. Always keep 

traffic flowing as quickly as possible.

C. Rear Person - It is the responsibility of the rear person to always be 

alert for a call from the spotter and/or the point person that a truck in 

the by-pass lane needs to be flagged over for investigation. In the event 

that a by-pass truck must be pulled over, ALWAYS HOLD THE 

TRAFFIC IN THE STOP LANE. The rear person will also query 

drivers that stop beside him of the contents of their trucks. Always keep 

traffic flowing as quickly as possible.

3. Switchboard (one person) - The person assigned to the switchboard works 

with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement personnel at the weigh station. 

The switchboard person will be listening to the “spotter” for the “red-light/

green-light” signal and switch the lights accordingly. The switchboard 

person’s goal is to keep as many trucks as possible rolling through the 

weigh station without the exit ramp backing up.

4. Inspection/investigation (minimum of three) - The inspection/investigation 

crew’s first responsibility is to have the trucks park correctly in the 

designated area. Other duties are to examine the bill of lading and/or 

invoices, certificates, quarantine compliance stamps, etc. Then fill out your 

State’s IFA Weigh Station Blitz form or State data collection form legibly, 

accurately, and completely. The investigation crew must be familiar with 

the IFA Quarantine lines (as found in state quarantine maps, and the USDA 

CFR). This crew will take soil samples from all trucks that contain plants 

with soil moving from the IFA quarantine area and submit to a state or 

federal lab for pesticide residue testing.

Identification

The PPQ National Identification Services (NIS) coordinates the identification 

of plant pests in support of USDA’s regulatory programs. NIS collaborates 

with scientists who specialize in various plant pest groups, including weeds, 

insects, mites, snails and plant diseases. These scientists are stationed at a 

variety of institutions around the country, including federal research 

laboratories, plant inspection stations, land-grant universities, and natural 

history museums.

For identification by an APHIS-PPQ identifier, submit the sample to the 

APHIS Identifier along with PPQ Form 391 Specimens for Identification. This 

may be done through the PPQ State Plant Health Director.

There are several keys available for use to identify Solenopsis species:
Regulatory Procedures

Policing the Quarantine 

3-26 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Hung, A.C.F., M.R. Barlin and S.B. Vinson. 1977. Identification, 

distribution, and biology of fire ants in Texas. Texas Agric. Exp. Stat. 

B-1185, October 1977. 24 pp.

Trager, J.C. 1991. A revision of the fire ants, Solenopsis geminata group 

(Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae). J. New York Entomol. Soc. 99: 141-198.

Wojcik, D.P., W.F. Buren, E.E. Grissell, and T. Carysle. 1976. The fire 

ants (Solenopsis) of Florida. Fla. Dept. Agr. & Consumer Serv., Div. Plant 

Ind. Entomology Circular No. 173., November 1976. 4 pp.

There are several online sites that provide taxonomic characteristics and/or ID 

keys, including:

Antkey

Pacific Invasive Ant key

Ants of the Southeastern U.S.

eXtension website for Imported Fire Ant

For field identification of red imported fire ants, InvictDetectTM Immunostrip® 

field kit is available from Agdia® Inc. This is a lateral flow immunoassay test 

that can be used in the field to screen for red imported fire ants. Each test kit 

uses 3-5 worker ants that must be thoroughly macerated with a buffer in a vial. 

The test uses venom proteins to identify the ants, thus the need to thoroughly 

grind up the worker ants. All materials for the test are included in the kit except 

gloves and forceps for collecting ants. The initial version is not able to identify 

black IFA, but will identify many hybrids. Research continues to develop a kit 

that will identify all forms of IFA.

As of Fall 2018, APHIS does not support the use of InvictDetectTM 

Immunostrip® for regulatory purposes. All preliminary IDs must be confirmed 

by NIS.

Finally, you can also contact your state university/cooperative extension office 

for questions regarding identification, as well as the State Department of 

Agriculture or the State PPQ office.
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual A-1

Appendix

A Appendix A

Contacts for PPQ and State Plant Officials

PPQ State Plant Health Directors

For contact information, visit one of these websites:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/downloads/

State-Plant-Health-Directors-Directory.pdf

or

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/

ppq-program-overview/ct_sphd

State Plant Regulatory Officials

For contact information, visit this website:

http://nationalplantboard.org/membership/
Appendix A

State Plant Regulatory Officials 

A-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-1

Appendix

B Appendix B

PPQ Forms and Directions

Contents

PPQ Form 244: USDA-APHIS Warning Quarantine (Tag) B-2

PPQ Form 391: Specimens for Determination B-3

PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation B-5

PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation Directions B-6

PPQ Form 519: Compliance Agreement B-9

Guidance on the Development and Use of Compliance Agreements B-10

Preparing a Compliance Agreement B-10

Talking Points B-11

PPQ Form 523: Emergency Action Notification B-13

PPQ Form 523: Emergency Action Notification Instructions B-14

Limited Permits and Federal Certificates B-15

PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit B-17

PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit Directions B-18

PPQ Form 540: Certificate B-20

PPQ Form 540: Certificate Directions B-21

Letter of Information (LOI) Template B-21

Letter of Information Guidelines B-23

Report Record for SPRO Cooperative Agreement B-23
Appendix B

PPQ Form 244: USDA-APHIS Warning Quarantine (Tag) 

B-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

PPQ Form 244: USDA-APHIS Warning Quarantine (Tag)

Figure B-2 PPQ Form 244: USDA-APHIS Warning Quarantine (Tag)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

W A R N I N G !

This Material is being held in

QUARANTINE

DO NOT OPEN, DESTROY, OR REMOVE

SEALED COMPARTMENTS, CONTAINERS, OR MATERIAL MUST REMAIN SEALED

WHILE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS

BY ORDER: PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

PPQ FORM 244

JAN 2009

WARNING: Not for U.S. commerce. In case of emergency, contact the local 

USDA, APHIS, PPQ Office at:

LOCATION

OFFICER BADGE NUMBER

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER

SEAL NUMBER DATE

PPQ FORM 244 REVERSE
 Appendix B

 PPQ Form 391: Specimens for Determination

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-3

PPQ Form 391: Specimens for Determination

Figure B-1 PPQ Form 391: Specimens for Determination

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 

required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB 

control number for this information collection is 0579-0377. The time required to complete this information collection 

is estimated to average .25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 

sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

This report is authorized by law 

(7 U.S.C. 147a). While you are not 

required to respond, your cooperation 

is needed to make an accurate record 

of plant pest conditions.

OMB APPROVED

0579-0010 

EXP. DATE



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

SPECIMENS FOR DETERMINATION 

Instructions: Type information requested. Block 1 – assign a number for each collection using 

your own numbering convention or use the following example by beginning with the year, followed 

by the collector’s initials and the collector’s number. Example: 14-JJD-001.

Pest Data Section – Complete Blocks 14, 15 and 16. Complete Items 17 and 18 if a trap was used.

LOT NUMBER PRIORITY

URGENT

PROMPT

ROUTINE

1. COLLECTION NUMBER 2A. DATE - SUBMISSION 2.B. DATE - COLLECTION 3. SUBMITTING AGENCY

MONTH DAY YEAR MONTH DAY YEAR State Cooperator University APHIS PPQ

Other: 

SUBMITTER AND ORIGIN 

4A. NAME OF SUBMITTER 4B. NAME OF COLLECTOR

INTERCEPTION SITE 

6. TYPE OF PROPERTY (FARM, RESIDENCE, NURSERY. ETC.)

5. ADDRESS OF SUBMITTER 7. NAME AND ADDRESS OF PROPERTY OWNER

ZIP CITY COUNTY STATE

EMAIL ADDRESS OF SUBMITTER LATITUDE LONGITUDE

PURPOSE 

8. REASON FOR IDENTIFICATION (“X” all applicable items)

A. Biological Control (Target Pest Name _____________________________) E. Export Certification 

B. Damaging Crops/Plants F. Targeted Survey (Pest Name 

_________________________________)

C. Suspected Pest of Regulatory Concern (Explain in REMARKS) G. Smuggling Interdiction/Trade Compliance (SITC) 

D. Stored Product Pest H. Other (Explain in REMARKS)

9. IF PROMPT OR URGENT IDENTIFICATION IS REQUESTED, PLEASE PROVIDE A BRIEF EXPLANATION UNDER “REMARKS”.

HOST DATA 

10. HOST INFORMATION 11. QUANTITY OF HOST

NAME OF HOST (Scientific name and name of cultivar if appropriate) NUMBER OF ACRES/PLANTS Plant affected (insert figure and indicate)

Number: 

Percent: 

12. PLANT DISTRIBUTION 13. PLANT PARTS AFFECTED

Limited Leaves, Upper Surface Trunk/Bark Bulbs, Tubers, Corms Seeds

Leaves, Lower Surface Branches Buds

Scattered 

Petiole Growing Tips Flowers 

Widespread Stem Roots Fruits or Nuts 

PEST DATA 

14. PEST DISTRIBUTION 15. INSECTS NEMATODES MOLLUSKS 

FEW NUMBER 

SUBMITTED LARVAE PUPAE ADULTS CAST

SKINS EGGS NYMPHS JUVS. CYSTS 

COMMON 

ABUNDANT ALIVE 

EXTREME DEAD 

16. SAMPLING METHOD 17. TYPE OF TRAP AND LURE 18. TRAP NUMBER

19. REMARKS METHOD

MORPHOLOGY

SYMPTOM

CULTURE

SEROLOGICAL

PCR

SEQUENCING

20. TENTATIVE DETERMINATION DETERMINED BY POSITION AND AFFILIATION

21.),1$/'(7(50,1$7,21$1'127(61RWIRU)LHOG8VH METHOD

MORPHOLOGY

SYMPTOM

CULTURE

SEROLOGICAL

35,171$0(3HUVRQ0DNLQJ)LQDO'HWHUPLQDWLRQ DISPOSITION OF SPECIMEN/SAMPLE PCR

Returned Retained for 

Collection/Stored Destroyed Transferred to:________________

SEQUENCING

SIGNATURE DATE LAB CONFORMATION NUMBER DATE RECEIVED

PPQ Form 391 Previous editions are obsolete.

$8* 2014
Appendix B

PPQ Form 391: Specimens for Determination 

B-4 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Figure B-2 PPQ Form 391: Specimens for Determination Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

Use PPQ Form 391, Specimens for Determination, for domestic collections (warehouse inspections, local and individual 

collecting, special survey programs, export certification). 

BLOCK INSTRUCTIONS

1

1. Assign a number for each collection using your own numbering convention or use the

following example by beginning with the year, followed by the collector’s initials and the 

collector’s number.

EXAMPLE

2. Enter the collection number

2A-2B Enter dates

3 Check block to indicate Agency submitting specimens for identification 

4A Enter name of submitter 

4B Enter name of collector

5 Enter address of submitter

6 Enter type of property specimen obtained from (farm, nursery, residence, etc.)

7 Enter name and address of property owner 

8A-8H Check all appropriate blocks 

9 Leave Blank 

10 Enter scientific name of host, if possible 

11 Enter quantity of host and plants affected 

12 Check block to indicate distribution of plant 

13 Check appropriate blocks to indicate plant parts affected 

14 Check block to indicate pest distribution 

15 Check appropriate block to indicate type of specimen 

Enter number specimens submitted under appropriate column 

16 Enter sampling method 

17 Enter type of trap and lure 

18 Enter trap number 

19 Provide a brief explanation if Prompt or URGENT identification is requested 

20 Enter a tentative determination and who made it

21 Leave blank 

Distribution of PPQ Form 391 

Distribute PPQ Form 391 as follows: 

1. Send Original along with the sample to your Area Identifier or for national confirmation.

2. Retain and file a copy for your records.

PPQ Form 391 Reverse

In 2014, Brian K. Long collected his first specimen of the year for 

determination. His first collection number is 14-BLK-001
 Appendix B

 PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-5

PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation

Figure B-3 PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation
Appendix B

PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation 

B-6 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation Directions

Document the violation on PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation. The Report of 

Violation records and documents violations and problems that you have during 

inspections at transit locations or regulated establishments. Each time you 

issue an EAN for a violation or for requiring corrective actions, you should 

also complete a Report of Violation. Documentation is very important with 

repeat offenders. When penalties are sought, the quality of the documentation 

will determine whether Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES) will 

accept the case and successfully prosecute it. Fill in all blocks! If the block 

does not apply, enter “N/A.” Unlike the EAN, you may or may not complete 

the Report of Violation at the site of the violation. Think ahead and gather the 

information you need to complete all the blanks and the statement.

Preparation

Block 1: Enter the date you discovered the violation. If you discovered the 

violation after it occurred, explain in Block 15.

Block 2: List the regulation violated, for example, 7 CFR 301.81, 

Imported Fire Ant.

Block 3: Enter the city, state, and county in which you discovered the 

violation.

Block 4: Enter the city, state, and county.

Block 5: List the quantity, type of container (boxes, barrels, pots) and 

article moved in violation.

Block 6: Identify invoice number, brand name on cartons, and any 

distinguishing marks.

Block 7: List correctly spelled name and complete business address. 

Identify type of business.

Block 8: If compliance agreement (CA), enter type of CA, date signed, 

and last review date.

Block 9: Self-explanatory.

Block 10: If applicable, list correctly spelled name and complete address.

Block 11: Self-explanatory.

Block 12: If applicable, self-explanatory.

Block 13: List correctly spelled name and complete address of person who 

receives the shipment.

Block 14: Enter what actions you took to eliminate the pest risk, such as 

safeguarding or confiscation.

Block 15: Provide a brief history including previous warnings, violator’s 

attitude. Be objective and provide your recommendation.
 Appendix B

 PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-7

Block 16: Ask the violator to provide an explanation of the incident. Also 

obtain statements from the carrier and agent when possible. Identify the 

person making the statement by name and title.

Block 17: Your statement in this block is very critical. The statement 

provides all the facts and describes the violation. Write your statement so 

that an uninvolved reader can tell what has occurred from reading the 

information in the statement. Your statement may be used by lawyers to 

present their case. Identify who, what, where, when, and why you were 

there. The statement tells a story.

Who? (Give name and title or position.)

What? (Describe how the article in PPQ Form 518, Block 5 violates 

the regulation listed in Block 2.)

Where? (Self-explanatory)

When? (Self-explanatory)

Why were you there? (Did you receive a hot tip? A request? Or a

routine compliance check?) Start at the beginning. Give the complete 

story. These are the necessary questions to answer. The remaining 

information helps your supervisor or the lawyers.

Determine the violator’s awareness and explanation.

Document making the violator aware. Provide information on the 

quarantine or explain the violation.

Document issuance of a PPQ Form 523.

Include disposition of the pest risk and final action if available.

Document any other parties involved in the violation and whether any 

follow-up is necessary. Sign, enter your title, and date.

Blocks 18, 19, and 20: Self-explanatory.

Block 21: The PPQ State Plant Health Director lists the following:

Any previous warning letters and dates sent

The date and amounts of any previous civil penalties

Recommendation for warning letter, civil penalty, or criminal penalty

Blocks 22, 23, and 24: PPQ State Plant Health Director completes.

Collect evidence to corroborate the violation such as bills of lading, invoices, 

packing lists, manifests, and permits.
Appendix B

PPQ Form 518: Report of Violation 

B-8 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Distribution

Attach the statement and any additional supporting documentation to the PPQ 

Form 518 and pass the entire package to your supervisor/ State Plant Health 

Director for completion of Blocks 21 through 24. The State Plant Health 

Director should then forward the package to APHIS Investigative and 

Enforcement Services for investigation and/or civil penalties.
 Appendix B

 PPQ Form 519: Compliance Agreement

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-9

PPQ Form 519: Compliance Agreement

Figure B-4 PPQ Form 519: Compliance Agreement

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Appendix B

PPQ Form 519: Compliance Agreement 

B-10 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Guidance on the Development and Use of Compliance 

Agreements

The following information is from the PPQ Sharepoint site for Compliance and 

Enforcement and is available to PPQ staff only.

Purpose of a Compliance Agreement

Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) makes wide use of compliance 

agreements in both domestic and international programs. Compliance 

agreements function as a contract between the regulated entity and PPQ. 

Conditions for handling and movement of regulated articles are detailed in 

compliance agreements. By signing a compliance agreement a regulated entity 

agrees that they understand the regulatory requirements that must be met to 

handle and move regulated articles in the specified manner. In return, that 

entity is allowed to conduct their activities with reduced levels of oversight and 

monitoring than otherwise would be possible. In many cases the regulated 

entity is also given permission to self-issue movement instruments such as 

Limited Permits and Federal Certificates. The reduced level of regulatory 

oversight and required PPQ presence at the regulated facility afforded by 

compliance agreements lowers regulatory burdens on affected entities while 

simultaneously reducing the resources PPQ must invest in regulatory 

oversight.

Preparing a Compliance Agreement

Compliance agreement templates have been created for many of the frequently 

encountered types of regulated activities. When a template exists it must be 

used. New and unique situations may require a compliance agreement be 

drafted that addresses the particulars of that situation after consultation with 

the appropriate Regional and National Program managers. All compliance 

agreements must use PPQ Form 519. In addition, care should be taken to 

maintain consistency in the requirements, stipulations, and general format for 

all compliance agreements across a particular program for a given regulated 

activity.

When compliance agreements are being drafted care must be taken that they 

are properly founded in the regulations they implement. If those regulations 

contain a high degree of specificity regarding applicable mitigations and 

procedures the compliance agreement must not deviate from or alter those 

requirements. When the regulations are less specific, due consideration and 

reference must be given to program manuals, the Treatment Manual, the 

Manual for Agricultural Clearance and other existing relevant documents. All 

stipulations and requirements must be detailed in Box 5 on PPQ Form 519. If 

those stipulations and requirements cannot be adequately captured within Box 

5, appendices may be referenced and attached to the 519. Standard operating 

procedures or other appendices that detail how requirements will be met at a 
 Appendix B

 PPQ Form 519: Compliance Agreement

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-11

particular facility may also be part of a compliance agreement, but must not 

add to or eliminate regulatory requirements. PPQ Form 519 and any attached 

appendices form the compliance agreement for a particular facility, location or 

entity and originals must be maintained in the originating office. This 

information can then be provided as part of the case file history to show the 

historical record of compliance for the alleged violator.

Compliance Monitoring Visits to Regulated Establishments

Regulated entities must be visited by authorized PPQ staff at appropriate 

intervals to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements contained in 

compliance agreements. During each visit paperwork and records will be 

reviewed and collected as needed. The facility should be inspected to ensure 

the regulated entity can meet regulatory requirements. The PPQ official should 

discuss the specific terms of the compliance agreement and associated 

regulations with appropriate staff at the establishment. Each visit must be 

documented, noting the date and time of the visit, the PPQ staff participating, 

the name and title of facility personnel who participated in discussions, and 

any problems discovered during the visit. If problems are noted, corrective 

actions must be stipulated in writing including time frames in which 

corrections will be made. This written document must be dated and signed by 

the appropriate PPQ staff and a properly authorized official at the regulated 

establishment.

Talking Points

A compliance agreement (CA) serves as a contract between the Agency 

and a regulated entity

The regulated entity agrees that employees understand and will follow 

applicable regulatory requirements

The CA lowers regulatory burdens for regulated entities and resource 

requirements for PPQ

CAs must be tied to the regulations they implement

CAs should be uniform and consistent across a program for a given 

regulated activity

Where templates exist, they should be used

New or unique situations may require preparation of a new compliance 

agreement; this should be done in consultation with Regional and 

National Program Managers

Compliance monitoring visits must occur at appropriate intervals

Paperwork and other relevant records must be reviewed and/or 

collected
Appendix B

PPQ Form 519: Compliance Agreement 

B-12 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

The facility should be inspected to ensure necessary equipment and 

other required resources are available and working properly

Any problems and needed corrective actions must be discussed with 

facility management, documented in writing, and signed and dated by 

the PPQ official and the appropriate facility official
 Appendix B

 PPQ Form 523: Emergency Action Notification

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-13

PPQ Form 523: Emergency Action Notification

Figure B-5 PPQ Form 523: Emergency Action Notification

FORM APPROVED - OMB NO. 0579-0102

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

EMERGENCY ACTION NOTIFICATION

1. PPQ LOCATION

3. NAME AND QUANTITY OF ARTICLE(S) 4. LOCATION OF ARTICLES

5. DESTINATION OF ARTICLES

8. SHIPMENT ID NO.(S)

13. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

7. NAME OF CARRIER

10. PORT OF LADING 11. DATE OF ARRIVAL

17. AFTER RECEIPT OF THIS NOTIFICATION COMPLETE SPECIFIED ACTION

 WITHIN (Specify No. Hours or No. Days):

18. SIGNATURE OF OFFICER:

 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF EMERGENCY ACTION NOTIFICATION

I hereby acknowledge receipt of the foregoing notification.

SIGNATURE AND TITLE: DATE AND TIME:

19. REVOCATION OF NOTIFICATION

ACTION TAKEN:

SIGNATURE OF OFFICER: DATE:

PPQ FORM 523 (JULY 2002) Previous editions are obsolete.

9. OWNER/CONSIGNEE OF ARTICLES

Name:

Address:

PHONE NO. FAX NO.

SS NO. TAX ID NO.

15. FOREIGN CERTIFICATE NO.

15a. PLACE ISSUED 15b. DATE

Under Sections 411, 412, and 414 of the Plant Protection Act (7 USC 7711, 7712, and 7714) and Sections 10404 through 10407 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 USC 8303 through 8306), you are hereby notified, as owner or agent of the owner of said carrier, premises, and/or articles, to apply remedial measures for

the pest(s), noxious weeds, and or article(s) specified in Item 12, in a manner satisfactory to and under the supervision of an Agriculture Officer. Remedial

measures shall be in accordance with the action specified in Item 16 and shall be completed within the time specified in Item 17.

AFTER RECEIPT OF THIS NOTIFICATION, ARTICLES AND/OR CARRIERS HEREIN DESIGNATED MUST NOT BE MOVED EXCEPT AS DIRECTED BY AN AGRICULTURE OFFICER. THE LOCAL OFFICER MAY BE CONTACTED AT:

Should the owner or owner's agent fail to comply with this order within the time specified below, USDA is authorized to recover from the owner or

agent cost of any care, handling, application of remedial measures, disposal, or other action incurred in connection with the remedial action,

destruction, or removal.

6. SHIPPER

12. ID OF PEST(S), NOXIOUS WEEDS, OR ARTICLE(S)

16. ACTION REQUIRED

TREATMENT:

RE-EXPORTATION:

DESTRUCTION:

OTHER:

SERIAL NO.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this

information is 0579-0102. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,

gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

2. DATE ISSUED

14. GROWER NO.

12a. PEST ID NO. 12b. DATE INTERCEPTED
Appendix B

PPQ Form 523: Emergency Action Notification 

B-14 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

PPQ Form 523: Emergency Action Notification Instructions

Authorized officials can issue an EAN, PPQ Form 523 (Figure B-5), requiring 

treatments, safeguards, or other remedial measures for regulated articles 

moving interstate. Specific corrective actions to be taken by the violator are 

stated on the form.

Fill in all blocks! If the block does not apply, enter “N/A.”

Preparation:

 Block 1: PPQ Location responsible for establishment or area.

 Block 2: Enter date that EAN was issued.

 Block 3: Provide description: article category, article name, quantity; 

unit of measure, APHIS Permit number.

Article Category - select a category (plant product or miscellaneous).

Article Name - this drop down list is determined by the previous 

selection.

Quantity - enter the numerical quantity of the shipment.

Unit of Measure - select the most descriptive term.

Wood packing material - check the appropriate box.

 Block 4: Location of the articles: the place where the shipment is located 

when it is inspected.

 Block 5: The final destination of shipment. Avoid use of intermediate 

parties such as freight forwarders.

 Block 6: Name of person or entity shipping articles.

 Block 7: Name of trucking firm and trailer license number.

 Block 8: Identify invoice number, other identifying number or 

distinguishing marks.

 Block 9: Name, mailing address, and phone number of the party who 

owns the premises or material. 

 Block 10: Port of lading city and country.

Block 11: Date article(s) arrived at their current location.

Block 12: Select “pest.”

Block 12a: Number assigned within Pest ID database.

Block 12b: Date pest was found.

Block 13: Select United States of America.

Block 14: N/A.
 Appendix B

 Limited Permits and Federal Certificates

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-15

Block 15: Select “Not Required.”

Block 15a: N/A.

Block 15b: leave blank.

Enter phone number of local officer.

Block 16: Select treatment schedule, explanation text, seal text if 

necessary, CFR regulation.

Block 17: Enter length of time allow for corrective action to be completed.

Block 18: Inspecting officer’s name, first and last name and title of person 

accepting EAN.

Comments: If user has any additional comments to make, they should be 

recorded here. Do not repeat information that has previously been 

provided. Do not enter any pest name in this location. NOTE: These 

comments will print on the paper EAN.

Block 19: Enter action taken, officer name and date.

Limited Permits and Federal Certificates

Limited Permits (PPQ Form 530) and Federal Certificates (PPQ Form 540, 

rubber/electronic stamps, etc.) are instruments used to allow the movement of 

regulated articles out of quarantined areas. Limited Permits allow for 

movement to a restricted set of locations, often a single location. Restrictions 

on movement are detailed on the Limited Permit issued to the article in 

question. Federal Certificates allow regulated articles to move to any 

destination in the United States. Both instruments will contain additional 

details on the mode of transport and the type and quantity of the article being 

moved.

Common forms of the Limited Permit include PPQ Form 530. In all cases, the 

Limited Permit remains the property of USDA APHIS. In the IFA Program, 

PPQ Forms 530 are generally used to certify single shipments of regulated 

items being shipped to locations outside the quarantined area. The shipper may 

or may not be under a compliance agreement and must meet specific 

conditions governing this movement as directed by the inspector and 7CFR 

301.81. Limited Permits are also issued for noncompliant commodities being 

returned to the State of origin during the course of regulatory actions taken in 

response to quarantine violations.

Federal Certificates can be issued in several forms, including PPQ Form 540, 

preprinted packaging materials, and rubber or electronic stamps. The IFA 

Program uses PPQ Form 540 as well as rubber and electronic stamps. 

Regulated articles are eligible for interstate movement when accompanied by a 

Federal Certificate when they have been processed or treated at a facility 

operating under a compliance agreement. Specific conditions governing 
Appendix B

Limited Permits and Federal Certificates 

B-16 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

movement of these articles are contained in the compliance agreement relating 

to the article in question.

Prior to issuance of a Limited Permit or Federal Certificate, eligibility of the 

article for interstate movement must be assured. This assurance is 

accomplished by entering into a compliance agreement with the person or 

establishment moving the article, or by the onsite presence of an authorized 

inspector. If the latter situation occurs, the inspector is responsible for ensuring 

that all necessary conditions have been met, and for signing and issuing the 

Limited Permit or Federal Certificate.
 Appendix B

 PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-17

PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit

Figure B-6 PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit
Appendix B

PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit 

B-18 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit Directions

Limited Permits authorize the movement of regulated articles to specified 

destinations for processing, treatment, or utilization. As with certificates, 

Limited Permits can be stamped on regulated articles by rubber stamp or 

preprinted on labels and cartons when authorization is given. For most border 

interceptions, use the Limited Permit long form PPQ 530. Destination checks 

at the time of receipt are optional.

Writing must be legible and accurate. If you make a mistake in entering 

quantities or dates, void the Limited Permit and make out another. Limited 

Permits are also numbered. If you void one, leave it intact in the booklet. Cross 

out minor errors but initial the change.

Press down firmly so that all information appears on all copies. Fill in all 

blocks. If the block does not apply, enter “N/A.”

Preparation

 Block 1: Self-explanatory.

 Block 2: Important! Be sure that you allow sufficient, but not extensive, 

time for the shipment to reach destination. An intercepting officer should 

note the void date and if there is a question, contact the issuing officer.

 Block 3: Person or business selling.

 Block 4: Location where sold. Use physical address only. Do not use P. 

O. Box numbers.

 Block 5: Person or business buying. Use physical address only. The 

intercepting office may be unaware of the location of the business should 

a follow-up inspection be necessary. Also, the mailing address may not 

be the same as the physical location to which the articles will be shipped. 

Do not use P. O. Box numbers.

 Blocks 6 and 7: Identity of means of transporting articles.

 Block 8: Provide adequate description for intercepting inspector to 

identify the article at the delivery point.

 Block 9: Issuing inspector’s signature.

 Blocks 10 and 11: To be completed by the destination inspector and 

returned to the issuing inspector.

Distribution

The original accompanies the shipment. Attach the original to the 

shipping documents that the consignee receives.
 Appendix B

 PPQ Form 530: Limited Permit

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-19

Forward the first carbon on the day of issue to the responsible official at 

destination. The destination inspector will complete Blocks 10 and 11 of 

the PPQ 530 and return the form to the issuing inspector. Establish 

advance communication to assure that adequate utilization, processing, or 

treatment can be accomplished at destination.

Keep the second carbon and match it with the first carbon upon its return 

from the destination inspector.
Appendix B

PPQ Form 540: Certificate 

B-20 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

PPQ Form 540: Certificate

Figure B-7 PPQ Form 540: Certificate
 Appendix B

 Letter of Information (LOI) Template

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-21

PPQ Form 540: Certificate Directions

At certain locations you may use the master certificate PPQ Form 540. In these 

situations when remedial actions are required, monitor each treatment and 

issue a PPQ Form 540 when all requirements are met.

Your writing must be legible and accurate. If you make mistakes in entering 

quantities or dates, void the certificate and make out another. Certificates are 

numbered. If you void one, leave it intact in the certificate booklet. You may 

cross out minor errors, but be sure to initial the change. Press down firmly so 

that all information appears on all copies. Fill in all blocks. If the block does 

not apply, enter “N/A.”

Preparation

Block 1: Self-explanatory.

Block 2: Important! Be sure to allow sufficient, but not extensive time 

for the shipment to reach its destination. An intercepting officer should 

note the void date and if there is a question, contact the issuing office.

Block 3: Person or business selling.

Block 4: Location where sold. Use physical address only. No P.O. Box 

numbers.

Block 5: Person or business buying. Use physical address only. The 

intercepting office may be unaware of the location of the business should 

a follow-up inspection be necessary. Also, the mailing address may not be 

the same as the physical location to which the articles will be shipped. No 

P.O. Box numbers.

Blocks 6 & 7: Identity of means of transporting articles.

Block 8: Provide adequate description for intercepting inspector to 

identify the article at delivery point.

Block 9: Issuing inspector’s signature.

Distribution

Original: Accompanies the shipment and is attached to the shipping 

documents that the consignee receives.

First carbon: Forwarded, at the discretion of the issuing inspector, to 

destination plant regulatory officials to alert them of the shipment.

Second carbon: Kept by the issuing officer.

Letter of Information (LOI) Template

Examples are available to PPQ staff only at the PPQ Compliance and 

Enforcement SharePoint site.
Appendix B

Letter of Information (LOI) Template 

B-22 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

DATE

ADDRESSEE

Dear:

The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is to safeguard agriculture and 

natural resources from the entry, establishment and spread of invasive plant 

pests; and to support trade and exports of U.S. agricultural products. To 

accomplish this mission, Congress granted APHIS the authority to administer 

regulations that establish detailed rules and procedures to be uniformly carried 

out by the Agency.

On (insert date), I visited your facility and spoke with (insert name and title, if 

available, or the role of the employee you met with). During my visit, I 

observed (briefly describe what you observed: regulated material that didn’t 

appear to be in compliance, material not being safeguarded according to a 

regulation or compliance agreement, etc. Describe when and how the company 

or individual allegedly failed to comply with the regulation(s), including the 

name of the person(s) involved, date(s) of the noted non-compliance, and type 

and volume of regulated articles involved. Include a description of any 

relevant documents, such as permits, compliance agreements, or orders issued. 

Recount the event(s) clearly, succinctly, and chronologically).

This material is regulated under (cite the specific regulation and statute, such 

as: Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 301.45; Title 9, Code of 

Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 94-96; the Plant Protection Act of 2000; the 

Animal Health Protection Act of 2002; permit number, or your compliance 

agreement, issued under [cite specific regulation/statute governing the 

compliance agreement]). These requirements are in place to safeguard U.S. 

agriculture and natural resources. Non-native invasive species (including 

insects, plant and animal diseases, and some plant and animal species) cause 

billions of dollars in damage each year, necessitate burdensome Federal and 

State regulations, disrupt foreign and domestic commerce, impact our ability to 

enjoy our environment and natural resources, and increase the price we pay for 

our food as our ability to produce food diminishes. (if you know or can easily 

find the information also include a description of the resource being protected 

such as the $___ citrus industry).

To comply with our regulations, you need to (Identify the actions that need to 

be taken to come into compliance and, if appropriate, define a reasonable time 

line for corrective action and/or submission of additional information. Clearly 

indicate if the actions are required (for example, using terms such as “must” 

instead of “should”). If you order specific, prescriptive actions, explain how 

the subject can request alternative actions, dispute any action, or request an 
 Appendix B

 Report Record for SPRO Cooperative Agreement

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual B-23

extension of the time line for corrective action. Be sure that you do not impose 

any requirements that are beyond or outside of the scope of the regulations).

If you need additional information on the (regulation, statute, compliance 

agreement, etc.) or the (name the program – ex: Asian Longhorned Beetle, 

Citrus Health Response Program, etc.), please refer to the following website 

(insert URL) and/or refer to the enclosed material. (Note: if no material is 

available on the program, omit this section and simply include contact 

information). You may also contact me (or insert a designee) between the 

hours of (insert your regular business hours) at (insert office phone and e-mail 

information). I am committed to helping you comply with our regulations and

will be pleased to answer any questions you may have or provide any guidance 

you may need.

Your compliance with APHIS regulations is important to safeguarding U.S. 

agriculture and natural resources. We will continue to monitor your activities 

to ensure there are no additional instances of noncompliant activity. No 

additional action will be taken to address this matter at this time. We will 

maintain a copy of this letter on file should you (and/or your company) be 

found in violation of APHIS regulations in the future. Be aware that we take 

violations of our statutes and regulations very seriously. The importance of 

these statutes and regulations was underscored by Congress when they granted 

the authority, under the (Plant Protection Act or Animal Health Protection Act, 

as appropriate) to impose civil penalties of up to $300,000 per violation. The 

statute also provides for criminal penalties in some circumstances. (APHIS 

also has the authority to revoke or modify permits and compliance agreements 

to ensure adequate safeguards.) We are hopeful that the information provided 

will ensure your compliance with our regulations in the future.

Letter of Information Guidelines

Go to the PPQ Compliance and Enforcement SharePoint site for more 

information on LOIs. This website is available to PPQ staff only.

Report Record for SPRO Cooperative Agreement

The State Plant Regulatory Official (SPRO) will provide semi-annual and 

annual (per cooperative agreement) IFA reports to the State Plant Health 

Director (SPHD). See Figure B-8 on page B-24 for an example of an SPRO 

IFA Cooperative Agreement Reporting Table.
Appendix B

Report Record for SPRO Cooperative Agreement 

B-24 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Figure B-8 State Plant Regulatory Official IFA Cooperative Agreement Reporting Table

ACTIVITY: REGULATORY

Number of Regulated Establishments Visited 

Number of CAs1 in Your State (Issued and/or Renewed): 

Percentage of CAs Reviewed Annually

Number of Regulatory Blitzes in Your State

Number of Violations/Finds in Regulated Articles in Commerce2

Number of Incidents Reported to APHIS, IES (Investigative & Enforcement Services)

Number of Incidents Handled with LOIs3 or between states

ACTIVITY: SURVEY (See PPQ IFA Program Manual for guidance)

Number of Years since Last Survey in State

Number of Sites Surveyed/Inspected

Number of new isolated infestations in plant nurseries, garden centers, etc. (>20 

miles outside regulated areas)

Number of new isolated infestations in the environment (>20 miles outside regulated 

areas)

Comments

 

1 CA = Compliance Agreement; CAs should be renewed annually

2 Please report all incidents/violations including non-compliant paperwork and infested articles to your SPHD to 

ensure IES involvement.

3 LOI = Letter of Information
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-1

Appendix

C Appendix C

Examples of IFA Compliance Agreements

Contents

Containerized Nursery Stock C-2

Containerized Ornamental Nursery Stock – Treatment Options C-3

Field Grown Balled and Burlapped Nursery Stock C-4

Turfgrass and Sod C-5

Commercial Turfgrass and Sod – Treatment Options C-6

Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock C-7

Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock – Treatment Options C-8

Soil: Bulk or Samples C-9

Soil: Bulk or Samples – Treatment Options C-10

Baled Hay and Straw C-11

Baled Hay and Straw – Treatment Options C-12

Nursery Stock Dealer/Broker of Nursery Stock C-13

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles C-14

Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from LA C-14

Nursery Stock (Drench Treatment) Compliance Agreement from TN 

C-15

Nursery Stock/Bare Root Compliance Agreement from NC C-16

Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from NM C-17

Bamboo Dip Compliance Agreement from TN C-18

Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from TX C-19
Appendix C

Containerized Nursery Stock 

C-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Containerized Nursery Stock

Figure C-1 Compliance Agreement for Containerized Nursery Stock

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 

unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control numbers for this information collection are 0579-0054, 0088, 0129, 0198, 0257, 0310, 0317, 

0322, 0337, 0346, 0363, and 0369. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.25 hours per response, including the time 

for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 

OMB APPROVED 

0579-0054/0088/0129/

0198/0257/0310/0317/

0322/0337/0346/0363/

0369

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

1. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF PERSON OR FIRM

Registration Number: 

2. LOCATION

Block Number: 

3. REGULATED ARTICLE(S)

Containerized Nursery Stock 

4. APPLICABLE FEDERAL QUARANTINE(S) OR REGULATIONS

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 7CFR301.81 

 I / WE AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

$ That in authorizing and participating in these treatments as a basis for the certification of regulated articles,

no liability shall be attached either to the United States Department of Agriculture , to cooperating

agencies, or to any of their employees in the event of injury to property or the regulated articles.

% To handle, process, or move regulated articles in accordance with the provision of applicable plant

quarantines.

& To safeguard and use all permits and certificates in accordance with instructions.

' To maintain and offer for inspection such records as may be required for the period of at least 2 years.

( To carry out all additional conditions, treatments, precautions and sanitary measures which are attached

and included with this document to be eligible for certification.

) Approved treatments for regulated articles can be found online in the $3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDO.

* Treatment is not required for regulated articles not moved outside of the treatment area.

+ Compliance agreements are non-transferable.

, Certification (stamp/imprint) authorizing movement

must be attached to or accompany all regulated articles

and be included on shipping documents or waybills

to shipping destination.

Stamp/Imprint Number: _______________ (imprint of stamp to the right) 

6. SIGNATURE 7. TITLE 8. DATE SIGNED

The affixing of the signatures below will validate this agreement, which shall remain in 

effect until canceled, but may be revised as necessary or revoked for noncompliance. 

9. AGREEMENT NO.

10. DATE OF AGREEMENT

11. PPQ/CBP OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 12. ADDRESS

13. SIGNATURE

14. U.S. GOVERNMENT/STATE AGENCY OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 15. ADDRESS

16. SIGNATURE

PPQ FORM 519 (SEP 2012) Previous editions are obsolete.
 Appendix C

 Containerized Ornamental Nursery Stock – Treatment Options

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-3

Containerized Ornamental Nursery Stock – Treatment Options

Figure C-2 Containerized Ornamental Nursery Stock – Treatment Options

Containerized Ornamental Nursery Stock – Treatment Options

See USDA, APHIS Website 86'$$3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDO for more details

KWWSVZZZDSKLVXVGDJRYLPSRUWBH[SRUWSODQWVPDQXDOVSRUWVGRZQORDGVWUHDWPHQWSGI

INCORPORATION OF GRANULAR INSECTICIDES:

Approved insecticides: Bifenthrin, Fipronil (no current label available), Tefluthrin (no current label available)

WUHDWPHQWUDWHVQRWVKRZQIRUILSURQLORUWHIOXWKULQ

Mix thoroughly to distribute the insecticide evenly throughout the soil or potting media. 

After potting, containers must be watered to the point of saturation. 

Application rates and certification periods 

Insecticide Dose Rate (ppm) Certification period (months) 

Bifenthrin 10 ppm 

12 ppm 

15 ppm 

25 ppm 

6 months 

12 months 

24 months 

Continuous


*FRQWLQXRXVFHUWLILFDWLRQLVRQO\DOORZHGZKHQDOOSURYLVLRQVRIWKH,)$)UHH1XUVHU\3URJUDPDUHPHW

DRENCH APPLICATION OF INSECTICIDES:

Approved insecticides: Bifenthrin, Chlorpyrifos

The volume of the treating solution must be at least 1/5 (20%) the volume of the container. 

Application rates and certification periods 

Insecticide Dose Rate (ppm/other) Certification period (days) 

Bifenthrin 180 days 

Chlorpyrifos 

25 ppm 

4 fl oz 4EC per 100 gal of watHU 30 days 

TOPICAL APPLICATION OF INSECTICIDES:

Approved insecticides for 3- and 4-quart containers only: Bifenthrin

Prepare a mix with the appropriate amount of bifenthrin in 1,000 oz of water based on container size and bulk density of potting 

media as shown in the chart below. Then apply 1 fl oz of the mix to each container evenly distributed over the surface of the 

potting media. Irrigate all treated containers thoroughly after treatment. 

Application rates and certification periods 

Insecticide Dose rate (ppm) Certification period (days) 

Bifenthrin 25 ppm 180 days 

IMMERSION OF CONTAINERIZED NURSERY STOCK IN INSECTICIDE:

Approved insecticides: %LIHQWKULQ&hlorpyrifos

Containers must remain in solution until bubbling ceases

Application rates and certification periods 

Insecticide Certification period (days) 

Chlorpyrifos

%LIHQWKULQ

%LIHQWKULQ

%LIHQWKULQ

Dose rate (ppm/other) 

OEDLJDORI water 

OEDLJDORIZDWHU

OEDLJDORIZDHU

OEDLJDORIZDWHU

30 days

GD\V

GD\V

GD\V

x Detection

IFA FREE NURSERY PROGRAMIRUGHWDLOVVHH&)5

3⁄4 Nursery owner must visually survey for IFA twice a month and maintain survey records

3⁄4 Authorized inspector will conduct inspection twice a year

x Control

3⁄4 Implement a treatment program with labeled baits and chemicals

3⁄4 All premises, including growing and holding areas must be free of IFA

3⁄4 All exposed soil surfaces where plants are grown or held must be treated with an approved bait twice a year

3⁄4 Follow-up treatments with a contact insecticide must be applied to eliminate colonies.

x Exclusion

3⁄4 Plants grown on premises require treatment of potting media with approved granular insecticide prior to planting

3⁄4 Plants received from other sources must be obtained from IFA certified nurseries or drench treated with an

approved insecticide upon delivery

x Enforcement

3⁄4 Records must be maintained for treatments conducted, surveys conducted, outside source certification, and

shipping records

3⁄4 Records must be made available to authorized inspectors upon request

The IFA Free Nursery Program is not mandatory for movement of regulated articles. Plant may be certified for movement using any of the 

approved treatment options. 
Appendix C

Field Grown Balled and Burlapped Nursery Stock 

C-4 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Field Grown Balled and Burlapped Nursery Stock

Figure C-3 Compliance Agreement for Field Grown Balled and Burlapped Nursery Stock

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 

unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control numbers for this information collection are 0579-0054, 0088, 0129, 0198, 0257, 0310, 0317, 

0322, 0337, 0346, 0363, and 0369. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.25 hours per response, including the time 

for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 

OMB APPROVED 

0579-0054/0088/0129/

0198/0257/0310/0317/

0322/0337/0346/0363/

0369

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

1. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF PERSON OR FIRM

Registration Number: 

2. LOCATION

Block Number: 

3. REGULATED ARTICLE(S)

Field Grown Balled and Burlapped Nursery Stock 

4. APPLICABLE FEDERAL QUARANTINE(S) OR REGULATIONS

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 7CFR301.81 

 I / WE AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

$ That in authorizing and participating in these treatments as a basis for the certification of regulated articles,

no liability shall be attached either to the United States Department of Agriculture , to cooperating

agencies, or to any of their employees in the event of injury to property or the regulated articles.

% To handle, process, or move regulated articles in accordance with the provision of applicable plant

quarantines.

& To safeguard and use all permits and certificates in accordance with instructions.

' To maintain and offer for inspection such records as may be required for the period of at least 2 years.

( To carry out all additional conditions, treatments, precautions and sanitary measures which are attached

and included with this document to be eligible for certification.

) Approved treatments for regulated articles can be found online in the $3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDO.

* Treatment is not required for regulated articles not moved outside of the treatment area.

+ Compliance agreements are non-transferable.

, Certification (stamp/imprint) authorizing movement

must be attached to or accompany all regulated articles

and be included on shipping documents or waybills

to shipping destination.

Stamp/Imprint Number: _______________ (imprint of stamp to the right) 

6. SIGNATURE 7. TITLE 8. DATE SIGNED

The affixing of the signatures below will validate this agreement, which shall remain in 

effect until canceled, but may be revised as necessary or revoked for noncompliance. 

9. AGREEMENT NO.

10. DATE OF AGREEMENT

11. PPQ/CBP OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 12. ADDRESS

13. SIGNATURE

14. U.S. GOVERNMENT/STATE AGENCY OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 15. ADDRESS

16. SIGNATURE

PPQ FORM 519 (SEP 2012) Previous editions are obsolete.
 Appendix C

 Turfgrass and Sod

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-5

Turfgrass and Sod

Figure C-4 Compliance Agreement for Turfgrass and Sod

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 

unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control numbers for this information collection are 0579-0054, 0088, 0129, 0198, 0257, 0310, 0317, 

0322, 0337, 0346, 0363, and 0369. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.25 hours per response, including the time

for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

OMB APPROVED 

0579-0054/0088/0129/

0198/0257/0310/0317/

0322/0337/0346/0363/

0369

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

1. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF PERSON OR FIRM

Registration Number:

2. LOCATION

Block Number:

3. REGULATED ARTICLE(S)

Turfgrass and Sod

4. APPLICABLE FEDERAL QUARANTINE(S) OR REGULATIONS

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 7CFR301.81

 I / WE AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

$ That in authorizing and participating in these treatments as a basis for the certification of regulated articles,

no liability shall be attached either to the United States Department of Agriculture , to cooperating

agencies, or to any of their employees in the event of injury to property or the regulated articles.

% To handle, process, or move regulated articles in accordance with the provision of applicable plant

quarantines.

& To safeguard and use all permits and certificates in accordance with instructions.

' To maintain and offer for inspection such records as may be required for the period of at least 2 years.

( To carry out all additional conditions, treatments, precautions and sanitary measures which are attached

and included with this document to be eligible for certification.

) Approved treatments for regulated articles can be found online in the $3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDO.

* Treatment is not required for regulated articles not moved outside of the treatment area.

+ Compliance agreements are non-transferable.

, Certification (stamp/imprint) authorizing movement

must be attached to or accompany all regulated articles

and be included on shipping documents or waybills

to shipping destination.

Stamp/Imprint Number: _______________ (imprint of stamp to the right)

6. SIGNATURE 7. TITLE 8. DATE SIGNED

The affixing of the signatures below will validate this agreement, which shall remain in 

effect until canceled, but may be revised as necessary or revoked for noncompliance. 

9. AGREEMENT NO.

10. DATE OF AGREEMENT

11. PPQ/CBP OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 12. ADDRESS

13. SIGNATURE

14. U.S. GOVERNMENT/STATE AGENCY OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 15. ADDRESS

16. SIGNATURE

PPQ FORM 519 (SEP 2012) Previous editions are obsolete.
Appendix C

Commercial Turfgrass and Sod – Treatment Options 

C-6 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Commercial Turfgrass and Sod – Treatment Options

Figure C-5 Commercial Turfgrass and Sod – Treatment Options

Commercial Turfgrass and Sod – Treatment Options

6HH86'$$3+,6:HEVLWH86'$$3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDOIRUPRUHGHWDLOV

KWWSVZZZDSKLVXVGDJRYLPSRUWBH[SRUWSODQWVPDQXDOVSRUWVGRZQORDGVWUHDWPHQWSGI

Approved insecticides: %LIHQWKULQ&hlorpyrifos and Fipronil

QRFKORUS\ULIRVDYDLODEOHLQ

Apply insecticide by broadcast DSSOLFDWLRQmethod.

Water area immediately after treatment.

Application rates and certification periods

Insecticide Application Rate (lb ai/acre)

Certification

period

%LIHQWKULQ

&KORUS\ULIRV

Fipronil

OEDLDFUH;DSSOLFDWLRQV ZHHNDSDUW

OEDLDFUHDSSOLFDWLRQRQO\

.0125 lb DLDFUH;DSSOLFDWLRQVZHHNDSDUW

ZHHNV

 weeks

ZHHNV

([SRVXUH

SHULRG


GD\V

GD\V

GD\V


H[SRVXUHSHULRGEHJLQVDIWHUODVWDSSOLFDWLRQRIIXOOWUHDWPHQW
 Appendix C

 Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-7

Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock

Figure C-6 Compliance Agreement for Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 

unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control numbers for this information collection are 0579-0054, 0088, 0129, 0198, 0257, 0310, 0317, 

0322, 0337, 0346, 0363, and 0369. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.25 hours per response, including the time 

for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 

OMB APPROVED 

0579-0054/0088/0129/

0198/0257/0310/0317/

0322/0337/0346/0363/

0369

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

1. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF PERSON OR FIRM

Registration Number: 

2. LOCATION

Block Number: 

3. REGULATED ARTICLE(S)

Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock 

4. APPLICABLE FEDERAL QUARANTINE(S) OR REGULATIONS

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 7CFR301.81 

 I / WE AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

$ That in authorizing and participating in these treatments as a basis for the certification of regulated articles,

no liability shall be attached either to the United States Department of Agriculture , to cooperating

agencies, or to any of their employees in the event of injury to property or the regulated articles.

% To handle, process, or move regulated articles in accordance with the provision of applicable plant

quarantines.

& To safeguard and use all permits and certificates in accordance with instructions.

' To maintain and offer for inspection such records as may be required for the period of at least 2 years.

( To carry out all additional conditions, treatments, precautions and sanitary measures which are attached

and included with this document to be eligible for certification.

) Approved treatments for regulated articles can be found online in the $3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDO.

* Treatment is not required for regulated articles not moved outside of the treatment area.

+ Compliance agreements are non-transferable.

, Certification (stamp/imprint) authorizing movement

must be attached to or accompany all regulated articles

and be included on shipping documents or waybills

to shipping destination.

Stamp/Imprint Number: _______________ (imprint of stamp to the right) 

6. SIGNATURE 7. TITLE 8. DATE SIGNED

The affixing of the signatures below will validate this agreement, which shall remain in 

effect until canceled, but may be revised as necessary or revoked for noncompliance. 

9. AGREEMENT NO.

10. DATE OF AGREEMENT

11. PPQ/CBP OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 12. ADDRESS

13. SIGNATURE

14. U.S. GOVERNMENT/STATE AGENCY OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 15. ADDRESS

16. SIGNATURE

PPQ FORM 519 (SEP 2012) Previous editions are obsolete.
Appendix C

Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock – Treatment Options 

C-8 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock – Treatment Options

Figure C-7 Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock – Treatment Options

Greenhouse Grown Nursery Stock – Treatment Options

6HH86'$$3+,6:HEVLWH86'$$3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDOIRUPRUHGHWDLOV

KWWSVZZZDSKLVXVGDJRYLPSRUWBH[SRUWSODQWVPDQXDOVSRUWVGRZQORDGVWUHDWPHQWSGI

GREENHOUSE GROWN STOCK:

Greenhouse-grown plants are certifiable without insecticidal treatment if the inspector 

determines that the greenhouse is constructed of fiberglass, glass, or plastic in such a 

way that IFA are physically excluded and cannot become established within the 

enclosure. Slat houses, shade houses, or open greenhouses do not qualify as physical 

barriers. Plants grown in structures that do not qualify as physical barriers must be 

treated with an approved insecticide before they can be certified for movement.
 Appendix C

 Soil: Bulk or Samples

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-9

Soil: Bulk or Samples

Figure C-8 Compliance Agreement for Soil: Bulk or Samples

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 

unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control numbers for this information collection are 0579-0054, 0088, 0129, 0198, 0257, 0310, 0317, 

0322, 0337, 0346, 0363, and 0369. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.25 hours per response, including the time 

for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 

OMB APPROVED 

0579-0054/0088/0129/

0198/0257/0310/0317/

0322/0337/0346/0363/

0369

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

1. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF PERSON OR FIRM

Registration Number: 

2. LOCATION

Block Number: 

3. REGULATED ARTICLE(S)

Soil: Bulk or Samples 

4. APPLICABLE FEDERAL QUARANTINE(S) OR REGULATIONS

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 7CFR301.81 

 I / WE AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

$ That in authorizing and participating in these treatments as a basis for the certification of regulated articles,

no liability shall be attached either to the United States Department of Agriculture , to cooperating

agencies, or to any of their employees in the event of injury to property or the regulated articles.

% To handle, process, or move regulated articles in accordance with the provision of applicable plant

quarantines.

& To safeguard and use all permits and certificates in accordance with instructions.

' To maintain and offer for inspection such records as may be required for the period of at least 2 years.

( To carry out all additional conditions, treatments, precautions and sanitary measures which are attached

and included with this document to be eligible for certification.

) Approved treatments for regulated articles can be found online in the $3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDO.

* Treatment is not required for regulated articles not moved outside of the treatment area.

+ Compliance agreements are non-transferable.

, Certification (stamp/imprint) authorizing movement

must be attached to or accompany all regulated articles

and be included on shipping documents or waybills

to shipping destination.

Stamp/Imprint Number: _______________ (imprint of stamp to the right) 

6. SIGNATURE 7. TITLE 8. DATE SIGNED

The affixing of the signatures below will validate this agreement, which shall remain in 

effect until canceled, but may be revised as necessary or revoked for noncompliance. 

9. AGREEMENT NO.

10. DATE OF AGREEMENT

11. PPQ/CBP OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 12. ADDRESS

13. SIGNATURE

14. U.S. GOVERNMENT/STATE AGENCY OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 15. ADDRESS

16. SIGNATURE

PPQ FORM 519 (SEP 2012) Previous editions are obsolete.
Appendix C

Soil: Bulk or Samples – Treatment Options 

C-10 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Soil: Bulk or Samples – Treatment Options

Figure C-9 Soil: Bulk or Samples – Treatment Options

Soil: Bulk or Samples – Treatment Options

6HH86'$$3+,6:HEVLWH86'$$3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDOIRUPRUHGHWDLOV

KWWSVZZZDSKLVXVGDJRYLPSRUWBH[SRUWSODQWVPDQXDOVSRUWVGRZQORDGVWUHDWPHQWSGI

BULK SOIL:

Approved treatments: 

Heat – dry or steam 

All parts of the mass must be brought to required temperature 

Application rates and certification periods 

Treatment Temperature (oF) Certification period *

Dry Heat or Steam 150o indefinite 

* as long as soil is safeguarded from re-infestation

SOIL SAMPLES:

Approved treatments: 

Heat – dry or steam 

Cold 

All parts of the mass must be brought to required temperature 

Application rates and certification periods 

Treatment Temperature (oF) Certification period *

Dry Heat or Steam 150o indefinite 

Cold -10oF to -20oF** indefinite 

* as long as soil is safeguarded from re-infestation

** maintain temperature for 24 hours
 Appendix C

 Baled Hay and Straw

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-11

Baled Hay and Straw

Figure C-10 Compliance Agreement for Baled Hay and Straw

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 

unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control numbers for this information collection are 0579-0054, 0088, 0129, 0198, 0257, 0310, 0317, 

0322, 0337, 0346, 0363, and 0369. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.25 hours per response, including the time

for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

OMB APPROVED 

0579-0054/0088/0129/

0198/0257/0310/0317/

0322/0337/0346/0363/

0369

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

1. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF PERSON OR FIRM

Registration Number:

2. LOCATION

Block Number:

3. REGULATED ARTICLE(S)

Baled Hay and Straw

4. APPLICABLE FEDERAL QUARANTINE(S) OR REGULATIONS

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 7CFR301.81

 I / WE AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

$ That in authorizing and participating in these treatments as a basis for the certification of regulated articles,

no liability shall be attached either to the United States Department of Agriculture , to cooperating

agencies, or to any of their employees in the event of injury to property or the regulated articles.

% To handle, process, or move regulated articles in accordance with the provision of applicable plant

quarantines.

& To safeguard and use all permits and certificates in accordance with instructions.

' To maintain and offer for inspection such records as may be required for the period of at least 2 years.

( To carry out all additional conditions, treatments, precautions and sanitary measures which are attached

and included with this document to be eligible for certification.

) Approved treatments for regulated articles can be found online in the $3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDO.

* Treatment is not required for regulated articles not moved outside of the treatment area.

+ Compliance agreements are non-transferable.

, Certification (stamp/imprint) authorizing movement

must be attached to or accompany all regulated articles

and be included on shipping documents or waybills

to shipping destination.

Stamp/Imprint Number: _______________ (imprint of stamp to the right)

6. SIGNATURE 7. TITLE 8. DATE SIGNED

The affixing of the signatures below will validate this agreement, which shall remain in 

effect until canceled, but may be revised as necessary or revoked for noncompliance. 

9. AGREEMENT NO.

10. DATE OF AGREEMENT

11. PPQ/CBP OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 12. ADDRESS

13. SIGNATURE

14. U.S. GOVERNMENT/STATE AGENCY OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 15. ADDRESS

16. SIGNATURE

PPQ FORM 519 (SEP 2012) Previous editions are obsolete.
Appendix C

Baled Hay and Straw – Treatment Options 

C-12 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Baled Hay and Straw – Treatment Options

Figure C-11 Baled Hay and Straw – Treatment Options

Baled Hay and Straw – Treatment Options

6HH86'$$3+,6:HEVLWH86'$$3+,63347UHDWPHQW0DQXDOIRUPRUHGHWDLOV

KWWSVZZZDSKLVXVGDJRYLPSRUWBH[SRUWSODQWVPDQXDOVSRUWVGRZQORDGVWUHDWPHQWSGI

BALED HAY AND STRAW:

%DOHGKD\WKDWPHHWVDQ\RIWKHUHTXLUHPHQWVEHORZLVQRWUHJXODWHGDQGKDVQRPRYHPHQWUHVWULFWLRQV

 )RUEDOHGKD\WKDWLVVWDFNHGDOOEDOHVH[FHSWWKHERWWRPOD\HUWKDWLVLQGLUHFWFRQWDFWZLWKWKH

JURXQG

 +D\WKDWLVFXWEDOHGORDGHGDQGVKLSSHGZLWKRXWVWRUDJH

 %DOHGKD\WKDWLVVWRUHGRQDQLPSHUYLRXVVXUIDFHVXFKDVKDUGSDQKLJKO\FRPSUHVVHGVRLO

DVSKDOWFRQFUHWHHWF

 %DOHGKD\WKDWLVVWRUHGHOHYDWHGDERYHWKHVRLORQSDOOHWVRUWLUHVRUVWRUHGRQODQGVFDSLQJFORWK

SODFHGRYHUWKHVRLO

)RU%DOHGKD\WKDWLVVWRUHGLQGLUHFWFRQWDFWZLWKWKHJURXQGFRQWDFW\RXUVWDWHLQVSHFWRUIRUDVVLVWDQFH
 Appendix C

 Nursery Stock Dealer/Broker of Nursery Stock

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-13

Nursery Stock Dealer/Broker of Nursery Stock

Figure C-12 Compliance Agreement for Nursery Stock Dealer/Broker

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 

unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control numbers for this information collection are 0579-0054, 0088, 0129, 0198, 0257, 0310, 0317, 

0322, 0337, 0346, 0363, and 0369. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1.25 hours per response, including the time 

for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 

OMB APPROVED 

0579-0054/0088/0129/

0198/0257/0310/0317/

0322/0337/0346/0363/

0369

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

1. NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF PERSON OR FIRM

Registration Number: 

2. LOCATION

Block Number: 

3. REGULATED ARTICLE(S)

Nursery Stock Dealer / Broker of Nursery Stock for Movement Outside the IFA Quarantine Area 

4. APPLICABLE FEDERAL QUARANTINE(S) OR REGULATIONS

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 7CFR301.81 

5. I / WE AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

$ That in authorizing and participating in these treatments as a basis for the certification of regulated articles, no liability

shall be attached either to the United States Department of Agriculture, to cooperating agencies, or to any of their

employees in the event of injury to property or the regulated articles.

% To handle, process, or move regulated articles in accordance with the provision of applicable plant quarantines.

& To safeguard and use all permits and certificates in accordance with instructions.

' To maintain and offer for inspection such records as may be required.

( For regulated articles not moved out of the quarantined area, the treatments described in this agreement are not

required.

) Compliance agreements are non-transferable. If you hold a compliance agreement and you leave your present

employer or company, you must notify Division of Plant Industry Inspector.

* Business’s operating as brokers or distribution centers of plants intended to be shipped outside the IFA quarantine area

must obtain plants from IFA certified nurseries under IFA compliance.

+ Sales invoices with a clear USDA IFA certificate imprint must be obtained from producing nurseries under IFA

compliance and made available for inspection by an authorized inspector for a period of at least two years.

, All bills of lading or invoices for shipments leaving the IFA quarantine

area must be accompanied by an IFA imprint assigned to the shipper.

- All plants held at this establishment must be safeguarded against IFA

infestation and meet any re-treatment requirements required for shipping

out of the IFA quarantine area. 

Stamp/Imprint Number: _______________ (imprint of stamp to the right) 

6. SIGNATURE 7. TITLE 8. DATE SIGNED

The affixing of the signatures below will validate this agreement, which shall remain in 

effect until canceled, but may be revised as necessary or revoked for noncompliance. 

9. AGREEMENT NO.

10. DATE OF AGREEMENT

11. PPQ/CBP OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 12. ADDRESS

13. SIGNATURE

14. U.S. GOVERNMENT/STATE AGENCY OFFICIAL (NAME AND TITLE) 15. ADDRESS

16. SIGNATURE

PPQ FORM 519 (SEP 2012) Previous editions are obsolete.
Appendix C

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles 

C-14 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles

Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from LA

Figure C-13 Example of an IFA Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from LA

PPQ FORM 519 - Revised February 2016

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

PLANT PROTECTION AND QUARANTINE

COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

1. Name and Mailing Address of Person or Firm 2. Location

3. Regulated

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles

4. IFA Certification Stamp Number

5. Applicable Federal Quarantine(s) or Regulations

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine #81 (7 CFR 301.81)

6. I/We agree to the following:

A. To offer for sale or movement outside the IFA quarantined area only such nursery stock, bedding plants, soil, peat, compost, and other

restricted articles which have been treated with approved materials* or otherwise handled by approved methods*.

*See Federal or State Cooperators for a listing of approved materials and handling methods. Maps depicting IFA regulated areas and a

listing of state counties that are regulated are also available, however, due to IFA range expansion, receiving states should be contacted if

there is any question about an areas regulated status.

B. To contact Federal or State Cooperators to monitor regulatory treatments*.

*A portion of all regulatory treatments performed by the nurseryman must be monitored annually or IFA certification will be suspended

or revoked.

C. To use Federal Certification Stamps on those restricted articles destined for movement outside the IFA quarantined area, and only on

those articles which are eligible for certification after treatment, when required, with approved materials. To keep Certification Stamps in

a safe manner in order to prevent possible misuse by unauthorized individuals. To immediately report damage, loss, theft, or misuse of

Certification Stamps and to return same to Federal or State Cooperators once the assigned nursery is out-of-business or the agreement is

canceled.

D. To maintain a record of all regulatory treatments and shipments of regulated articles from IFA regulated areas, and to make such

records available to Federal or State Cooperators upon request.

7. Signature 8. Title 9. Date of Agreement

The affixing of the signatures below will validate this agreement which shall remain in effect until canceled, but may be 

revoked as necessary or revoked for non-compliance.

10. State Agency Official (Name, Title, and Signature)

, Adm. Coordinator, Nursery and 

Apiary Programs

__________________________________________________ 

11. State Agency Address

Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry

5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 3002

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

12. USDA, APHIS, PPQ Official (Name, Title, and Signature)

, State Plant Health Director

__________________________________________________ 

13. Federal Agency Address

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

4354 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 150

Baton Rouge, LA 70816
 Appendix C

 Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-15

Nursery Stock (Drench Treatment) Compliance Agreement from TN

Figure C-14 Example of an IFA Nursery Stock (Drench Treatment) Compliance Agreement from TN
Appendix C

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles 

C-16 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Nursery Stock/Bare Root Compliance Agreement from NC

Figure C-15 Example of an IFA Nursery Stock/Bare Root Compliance Agreement from NC

	











	

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VY#""L&KL"JYX$"X|XYLK>+'V&!'YV@#!}#|XYLK>+'V&!'YV@#!\'!&}L"LV\'!@X&L'V+'YY#+&L'VL"^`^<

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\'!!#|L#LV[LV"&!+&L'V""#X!+}LV[#L"&LV[KX&X"'!+#"[X&}#!LV[XVK@XLV&XLVLV[&}#KX&XV##K#KXVK+'@JY#&LV[XVK

!#|L#LV[&}#+'YY#+&L'V'\LV\'!@X&L'V
 Appendix C

 Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-17

Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from NM

Figure C-16 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from NM
Appendix C

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles 

C-18 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Bamboo Dip Compliance Agreement from TN

Figure C-17 Example of an IFA Bamboo Dip Compliance Agreement from TN
 Appendix C

 Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-19

Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from TX

Figure C-18 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from TX
Appendix C

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles 

C-20 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Figure C-19 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from TX (page 2)
 Appendix C

 Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-21

Figure C-20 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from TX (page 3)
Appendix C

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles 

C-22 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Figure C-21 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from TX (page 4)
 Appendix C

 Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles

02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual C-23

Figure C-22 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from TX (page 5)
Appendix C

Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles 

C-24 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

Figure C-23 Example of an IFA Container Nursery Stock Compliance Agreement from TX (page 6)
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual D-1

Appendix

D Appendix D

Recipe for USDA IFA Bait Attractant Cookies

Background

The methods used were a combination of those used by cooks in preparing 

cookies or granola bars and those used in mixing insect diets. The ingredients 

listed in the recipe (Table D-1) were tested in the laboratory on IFA prior to 

selection. They were selected for being essential to insect nutrition and 

attraction as well as being preservatives and glues to hold the ingredients 

together. These are food products found in most grocery stores.

They are basic products that have not been adulterated with additives or by 

removing ingredients such as gluten. The pregelatinized corn starch acts as a 

sponge when mixed with vegetable oil and maintains it general size and shape. 

When mixed in water it dissolves and becomes a thickening agent. The recipe 

in Table D-1 was developed through trial and error to get the right consistency 

of the end product. The mixture of ingredients are mixed and heated to a 

malleable form for spreading over sheets of individual molds. Each mold is in 

the shape of half a sphere with a diameter of 17 mm.

Instructions

The ingredients for the developed bait are listed in Table D-1.

Mixing instructions are as follows:

1. Weigh out and mix together the cornmeal and pregelled corn in a bowl or 

beaker.

2. Mix or beat together the corn oil, honey, and egg in a separate beaker.

Table D-1 Ingredients for USDA IFA Survey Bait Attractant Cookies

Ingredients Amounts

Stone ground natural yellow cornmeal 84 grams

Pregelled corn (pregelatinized starch) 63 grams

Corn oil 54 grams

Clover honey 21 grams

Egg (chicken) 1 large egg

Corn syrup 63 grams

Granulated white sugar 21 grams
Appendix D

Instructions 

D-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

3. Add the oil, honey, and egg mix to the cornmeal-pregelled corn and mix 

thoroughly.

4. Mix together the corn syrup and sugar in a 1-quart sauce pan. Heat these 

ingredients to melting, being careful not to burn the mixture.

5. Mix the remainder of the ingredients into the hot sugar. Heat this while 

mixing and pressing the mixture together for assured consistency.

6. When hot to the touch, stop heating and spoon the mixture into the molds. 

Press into individual molds with a putty knife or spatula.

7. Once each sheet of molds is filled, go to the next sheet. When completed, 

set molds aside to air dry at room temperature for 24 hours.

8. Remove the baits from the molds and place on wax paper to dry for 24 

hours more.

9. When hardened, count and place the baits in plastic bags. Seal the bags and 

store in a refrigerator or freezer.

The finished product is shown in Figure D-1.

Figure D-1 Laboratory Produced Bait Attractant Cookie
02/2019-01 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual Index-1

Imported Fire 

Ant Program 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Index

A

advisories 1-8

Alabama, 1-5

alates, 1-6

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 1-8

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

(APHIS) 1-2

APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) 1-2

Arkansas, 1-5

audience, 1-2, 1-3

B

boldfacing 1-9

brood production, 1-6

brood, 1-6, 1-8

bulleted lists 1-9

C

California 1-2

California, 1-5

caution, as an advisory 1-9

certificate, 1-4

chapters, meaning in the manual 1-9

colony, 1-6

control data 1-10

conventions 1-8

D

danger, as an advisory 1-9

description of IFA castes and life stages, 1-7

distribution, 1-5

E

egg production, 1-6

eggs, 1-5, 1-8

emergency action notification, 1-4

F

Federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine 1-2

Federal regulatory officers 1-2

Florida, 1-5

footnotes 1-10

G

gaster, 1-7

Georgia, 1-5

H

heading levels 1-10

I

IFA

brood, 1-6, 1-8

colony, 1-6

distribution, 1-5

eggs, 1-5, 1-8

larvae, 1-5, 1-8

major workers, 1-6

minor workers, 1-6

mounds, 1-6

nests, 1-5

pupae, 1-8

queens, 1-7

reproductives, 1-7

workers, 1-5, 1-7

interstate commodities 1-2

L

larvae, 1-5, 1-8

limited permit, 1-4

Louisiana, 1-5

M

major workers, 1-6

majors, 1-7

mated queen, 1-5

mating flights, 1-5

minims, 1-6, 1-7

minor workers, 1-6

Mississippi, 1-5

Mobile, Alabama, 1-5

mounds, 1-6

N

nests, 1-5

New Mexico, 1-5

newly mated queen, 1-5

North Carolina, 1-5

notice, as an advisory 1-9

numbered lists 1-11

numbering scheme 1-11

O

Oklahoma, 1-5

P

Paraguay River floodplain, 1-5

PPQ Form 518, 1-4

PPQ Form 523, 1-4

PPQ Form 530, 1-4

PPQ Form 540, 1-4

Puerto Rico 1-2

Puerto Rico, 1-5

pupae, 1-8

purpose, 1-3

Q

quarantine map, 1-5

queens, 1-5, 1-7

R

regurgitated liquids, 1-5

report of violation, 1-4
Index

Index-2 Imported Fire Ant Program Manual 02/2019-01

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

reporting problems with the XPM 1-12

reproductive ants, 1-6

reproductives, 1-7

S

safety

as an advisory 1-9

scope, 1-2, 1-3

small animals 1-2

Solenopsis invicta x richteri hybrid, 1-5

Solenopsis invicta, 1-2, 1-5, 1-7

Solenopsis richteri, 1-5, 1-7

South America, 1-5

South Carolina, 1-5

Specimen Determination Form 1-4

State regulatory officers 1-2

stingers, 1-7

T

Tennessee, 1-5

Texas, 1-5

U

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1-2

USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) 1-2

V

Virginia 1-5

W

warning, as an advisory 1-9

western States 1-2

workers, 1-5, 1-7